PREVALENCE OF SCHISTOSOMA HAEMATOBIUM INFECTION IN GHANA: A RETROSPECTIVE CASE STUDY IN KUMASI

In Ghana, urinary schistosomiasis was considered a public health problem in the rural communities only. Recentreports are pointing to the resurgence of this infection in urban and peri-urban settlements. In this study, the prevalence ofSchistosoma haematobium infection presenting at Kumasi South Hospital (surrounded by Atonsu, Gyinyaase and Ahinsancommunities) and Aninwa Medical Centre (surrounded by Boadi, Ayeduase, Emena, Appiadu and Kokoben) wereinvestigated in retrospect to determine whether S. haematobium infection rate difference was consistent over time and alsoto compare the prevalent rates of the infection between these two community hospitals. The available records of patientsreferred for urinalysis between 2000 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Prevalence of S. haematobium infection atKumasi South Hospital (an urban poor community) was 40.2% whilst Aninwa Medical Centre (a peri-urban settlement)recorded 4.5%. The infection was higher among males (66.4%) than the females (33.6 %) at both hospitals and a generalpattern of 3- year peaks of the infection was observed. Our findings have indicated that the urban poor communities aroundKumasi South Hospital are seriously affected by S. haematobium infection as compared to Aninwaah Medical Centre.Economic, agricultural and recreational activities of these communities living around the banks of River Susan in addition tolack of good household water might account for the high risk of the infection in the urban poor communities in the catchmentareas of the Kumasi South Hospital.