Prevalence, Risk Factors and Effect of Urinary Schistosomiasis on Academic Performance of School Children Age 6-15 years in Asalaya Locality, White Nile State, Sudan 2017

Background: Schistosomiasis is one of the world’s most prevalent parasitic infections and it is a significant global health problem. It is the second most prevalent parasitic disease after malaria in developing countries. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis, the risk factors and its effect on the academic performance of school children in Asalaya locality, White Nile State, Sudan.

Materials and Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study in which 475 school children in Asalaya Locality basic schools were investigated for urinary schistosomiasis using urine filtration techniques and microscopy. Certain risk factors were assessed by interview and the school academic performance of the participants was obtained from their academic results.

Results: Of the 475 school children surveyed 300 (63%) were males and 175 (37%) were females. The urinary schistosomiasis was found in 310 school children and showed a prevalence of 65%. Males were significantly affected with schistosomiasis than females, 213 (69%) and 97(31%) respectively (p < 0.001). School children in the age group 6-10 years were more affected by urinary schistosomiasis than those in the age group 11-15 years (p < 0.001). The risk factors associated with the disease were source of water being river/ponds (p < 0.01), frequency of visiting river (p < 0.001) and activities at river sites (p < 0.001). An association was found between the father/mother education. With regard to the academic performance of the school children, half of the affected school children 157 (51%) had poor academic performance while 71% of non-affected school children had excellent performance. The academic performance of the school children was significantly affected by their infection with urinary schistosomiasis (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was high among school children in Asalaya Locality in White Nile State in Sudan and significantly affected their academic performance. More efforts are needed to combat the disease and mass chemotherapy is recommended.