Prevalence and associated risk factors of urinary schistosomiasis and intestinal parasites infections in communities around the Soum dam agropole, Nanoro, Burkina Faso

Abstract

Urinary schistosomiasis and intestinal helminth infections remain a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. In Burkina Faso, prevalence varies by region. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and intestinal helminth infections and the associated risk factors for transmission. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from October to December 2023 among 807 individuals, aged 6 to 92 years, from five villages around the Soum Dam in the Nanoro area. Transmission-related associated risk factors were precise using a structured questionnaire. Stool samples were analyzed to detect intestinal parasites using the Kato-Katz technique and Formol-Ether/Ethyl Acetate Concentration Technique (FECT). Urine samples were examined for Schistosoma haematobium through urine filtration and microhematuria detection using Haemastix reagent strips. Out of the 807 individuals enrolled in the study, 84 (10.4%) were found to be infected with at least one parasitic species (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 8.5%–12.7%). Nematode infections were the most prevalent, affecting 47 (5.8%) of participants (95% CI: 4.4%–7.7%), and included Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Ancylostoma spp., and Enterobius vermicularis. Intestinal protozoa (Entamoeba histolytica/dispar and Entamoeba coli) were detected in 15 (1.9%) of individuals (95% CI: 1.0%–3.3%). Platyhelminth infections were observed in participants, including 19 (2.4%) (95% CI: 1.4%–4.0%) due to cestodes (Hymenolepis nana) and 4 (0.05%) (95% CI: 0.1%–1.4%) due to trematodes (S. haematobium). Overall, people aged 15 years and older were the most infected population. The greatest proportion of infections was due to nematodes, which are transmitted by food and soil (soil-transmitted helminths). The bivariate analysis revealed several important trends, particularly with regard to geographical location, living in Séguédin (Prevalence Ratio (PR) = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2%–0.9%) and Soala (PR = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.1%–0.9%) was associated with a lower prevalence of parasitic infections. This study showed that the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and intestinal parasitosis are low among populations living around Soum dam agropole. However, soil-transmitted helminths were the most frequent parasites highlighting the need to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene practices in this area. Not applicable.