Epidemiology and risk factors for Schistosoma spp. infection in adult population of Chókwè district, Mozambique

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that remains an important public health problem. Mozambique is one of the countries with the highest prevalence of the disease. Adults with chronic schistosomiasis can act as a reservoir for continued infection transmission. Data about schistosomiasis in this population in Mozambique is limited. In order to determine schistosomiases prevalence and risk factors in the adult population of Chokwe district, a cross-sectional study was conducted between April and October 2018. With the help of the Chókwè Health Research and Training Centre continuous demographic surveillance system data regarding sociodemographic variables, signs and symptoms for schistosomiasis and water related activities was collected. Infection status was determined by urine and feces Schistosoma spp. egg and/or DNA detection. Multivariate logistic regression was used to search for association between risk factors, signs and symptoms and infection. The study included 1033 participants with a mean age of 32 years old. The prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni were 11.3% and 5.7%, respectively. Reported hematuria in the last month (p=0.004) and blood in urine dipstick (p=0.004) were associated with Schistosoma haematobium infection. Schistosoma mansoni infection was not independently associated with any sign or symptom. Findings corroborate the need to establish programs to regularly evaluate chronic urinary schistosomiasis infection in adults living in endemic areas.