Prevalence of Schistosomiasis Mansoni among school children in KAFR el sheikh governorate (Kafr el sheikh district)

Objective: This studyis aimed to estimate the rate of schistosomiasis mansoni among basic school children in Kafr Elsheikh governorate (Kafr Elsheikh district) to determine the magnitude of the problem for prevention and control programs. Background: The study area was in Kafr Elsheikh Governorate, uppermost part of the Nile Delta 120 - 210 km north of Cairo. Kafr Elsheikh district is a model for rural Egypt depending on the water of the Nile for its agricultural output. Kafr Elsheikh Governorate has the highest schistosomiasis prevalence in Egypt. Patients and methods: In this study, a multistage random sample of one thousand children at school age (6-15 years) was selected randomly from three primary and three preparatory schools in the study area Kafr Elsheikh district. Data was collected about name, age and sex. General examination was done for them, urine and stool samples were collected for microscopic examination for schistosomiasis. Weight, height, body mass index, hemoglobin and IQ assessment were done for positive cases only. Results: The rate of schistosomiasis between children in Kafr El Sheikh District is 0.4%. All positive cases were Schistosoma mansoni. A highly significant positive correlation between male sex and increasing the prevalence of schistosomiasis (-P value =0.02-). Positive correlation between primary school age and rural residence and increasing the prevalence of schistosomiasis (-P value= 0.03-) for primary school age and (-P value = 0.04-) for rural residence. 100% of the positive cases were male, within primary school age and with rural residence. Conclusion: The rate of schistosomiasis between children in Kafr Elsheikh Governorate, Kafr Elsheikh district is high rising an alarm that schitosomiasis remains one of the most public health problems between children in rural Egypt. There was predominance of Schistosoma mansoni, males-, primary school age group and rural residence among positive cases.