Intestinal Schistosomiasis in remote areas of Southwest Ethiopia, a target region for large-scale Mass Drug Administration

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> As 2030 approaches, the World Health Organization's due date for ending intestinal schistosomiasis as a public health problem in all endemic areas, understanding the current trends in the burden of <italic>Schistosomiasis</italic> among schoolchildren in endemic areas is critical for monitoring the progress, identifying areas for improvement, and developing strategies to plan for instant response to mitigate the burden of <italic>Schistosomiasis</italic>. From February to April of 2023, 328 students from three primary schools in Southwest Ethiopia participated in an institution-based cross-sectional study in the detection of <italic>Schistosoma mansoni</italic>. Intestinal schistosomiasis was identified among 242 school children, with a rate of infection of 73.8% (95% CI: (64.8–83.4%)). The rate of infection was higher among study participants aged between 10–13 years [AOR = 1.93, 95% CI: (1.1, 3.44). About 75% of the male participants were infected with <italic>Schistosoma mansoni</italic> [AOR = 0.83, 95% CI (0.49, 1.41). Nearly half (48.1%) of the <italic>S. mansoni</italic> infections among study participants were identified as heavy infections. More than half of the male study participants (50.3%) infected with <italic>Schistosoma mansoni</italic> had heavy infection intensity. Of the total female schoolchildren infected with <italic>Schistosoma mansoni</italic>, about 44.4% had a heavy infection. The prevalence and intensity of infection of <italic>Schistosoma mansoni</italic> in the study area are significantly noticeable, raising doubts on either the implementation or effectiveness of the interventional programs in remote areas of southwest Ethiopia. Strategies to end the disease as a public health threat, mainly in remote and endemic areas, should consider novel integrated strategies targeting the life cycle of schistosomes besides the large-scale mass drug administration.