Browsing by Author "Mtethiwa, Austin"

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    Extent of morbidity associated with schistosomiasis infection in Malawi: a review paper.
    (Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 2015-05) Mtethiwa, Austin; Nkwengulila, Gamba; Sikawa, D.; Kazembe, A.
    Data on the extent of the burden due to schistosomiasis is sparse in most Sub-Saharan African countries. However, this data is crucial for triggering medical attention. A review of extent of morbidity and determinants associated with schistosomiasis in Malawi was therefore conducted to quantify the infection in order to concretise the need for medical intervention. A systematic and traditional search strategy was used to find literature for the review, whilst exclusion and inclusion criteria were used to identify appropriate articles. Logistic regression curves of epidemiological model Y = (a + bxc)/(1 + bxc) and the recommendation that schistosomiasis prevalence can be used to estimate morbidity were employed to quantify morbidity at various infection stages. Morbidity was quantified as a direct proportion of the population and the respective national schistosomiasis prevalence. Findings showed that both S. mansoni and S. haematobium are present in Malawi with the latter highly prevalent (50%). Furthermore, out of the estimated population of 16,829 million, approximately 8.4 million have schistosomiasis, with about 4.4 million of these aged 18 years and below. The most frequent manifestation is Katayama syndrome, while ascites is the lowest, impacting about 3.0 million and 960 individuals, respectively. Localised studies on association of schistosomiasis infection to risk factors such as occupation, age and gender found odds ratio (OR) ranging from 1.29 to 5.37. Morbidity due to schistosomiasis is high in Malawi. It is therefore recommended that a more detailed study on the determinants of high schistosomiasis and re-evaluation of the current control measures be conducted if the current morbidity statistics are to be remarkably reduced
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    Prevalence and Intensity of Schistosomiasis in Communities around Water Reservoirs in Malawi
    (Journal of Tropical Diseases, 2015) Mtethiwa, Austin; Nkwengulila, Gamba; Bakuza, Jared S.
    Although schistosomiasis is endemic in Malawi, its epidemiology at water reservoir communities is not known. However, there are more than 750 water reservoirs spread throughout the country, providing water for various activities. The present study was conducted to determine schistosomiasis infection at reservoir communities in Malawi. Methods: This was across sectional study conducted during the rainy and dry seasons at three water reservoir communities. A total of 1594 individuals aged from 1 to 78 years from 1-2km, >2-5km and 5km away from the reservoir were randomly selected and enrolled into the study. They provided stool and urine samples which were examined for Schistosoma eggs using Kato-Katz and sedimentation methods, respectively. Results: An overall prevalence of 47.4% was found with 51.2% for S. haematobium and 9.5% for S. mansoni. Prevalence was significantly higher during the dry season (58.5%) than the rainy season (36.6%) (P=0.01). Prevalence was significantly higher in communities living 0-2km away from the reservoir than in those living > 5km away (P=0.00). Prevalence of S. haematobium was significantly different higher at Mlala reservoir than at Ukonde and Njala reservoirs (P=0.043). Prevalence of S. Mansoni was significantly higher at Ukonde reservoir than at Mlala and Njala reservoirs (P=0.037). Prevalence among different age groups was not significantly different (P=0.29). Age group of 6-15 years had significantly higher infection intensity, in both S. mansoni (129±3.6 epg) and S. haematobium (63.3±2.3 eggs/10ml of urine), than the other age groups. Conclusion: Water reservoirs are infested with Schistosoma cercariae and the communities are at risk. The closer to the reservoir, the higher the chances of being infected. We recommend annual MDA, since the prevalence found is within the ≥50% WHO recommended threshold for MDA. We also recommend a health education to the communities on transmission and prevention of schistosomiasis.