Chronic infection of urogenital schistosomiasis in humans is a major cause of urinary tract morbidity in endemic areas. However, information on the prevalence of schistosomiasisrelated urinary tract morbidity is lacking in most endemic countries including Tanzania. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of schistosomiasis-related urinary tract morbidity in schoolchildren and adults in Itilima District. Urine samples from 682 residents were examined for Schistosoma haematobium infection using urine filtration technique. Urinary tract morbidity was examined by ultrasound. The prevalence of S. haematobium infection was 16.4% (112/682) and varied significantly between villages (range 3.2% to 29.5%, χ2 = 48.467, p < 0.001). There was no significant variation of S. haematobium infection between male and female (8.3 % vs 8.1%, χ2 = 0.679, p = 0.410). Majority (93.8%) had light infections (<50 eggs/10 mL). The prevalence of urinary tract morbidity was significantly higher in adults compared to school children (78.3% vs 42.9%; χ2 = 13.451, p = 0.001). Furthermore, the prevalence of urinary tract morbidity was significantly higher in male (60%) compared to female participants (60% vs 40%, χ2 = 17.819, p < 0.001). The prevalence of schistosomiasis-related urinary tract morbidity is still high in Itilima district. Therefore, examination for urogenital schistosomiasis accompanied with ultrasound among infected individuals is necessary for early detection of lesions in the urinary tract system.
BT - Tanzania Journal of Science DA - 06/2026 DO - 10.65085/2507-7961.2261 IS - 2 LA - ENG M3 - Article N2 -Chronic infection of urogenital schistosomiasis in humans is a major cause of urinary tract morbidity in endemic areas. However, information on the prevalence of schistosomiasisrelated urinary tract morbidity is lacking in most endemic countries including Tanzania. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of schistosomiasis-related urinary tract morbidity in schoolchildren and adults in Itilima District. Urine samples from 682 residents were examined for Schistosoma haematobium infection using urine filtration technique. Urinary tract morbidity was examined by ultrasound. The prevalence of S. haematobium infection was 16.4% (112/682) and varied significantly between villages (range 3.2% to 29.5%, χ2 = 48.467, p < 0.001). There was no significant variation of S. haematobium infection between male and female (8.3 % vs 8.1%, χ2 = 0.679, p = 0.410). Majority (93.8%) had light infections (<50 eggs/10 mL). The prevalence of urinary tract morbidity was significantly higher in adults compared to school children (78.3% vs 42.9%; χ2 = 13.451, p = 0.001). Furthermore, the prevalence of urinary tract morbidity was significantly higher in male (60%) compared to female participants (60% vs 40%, χ2 = 17.819, p < 0.001). The prevalence of schistosomiasis-related urinary tract morbidity is still high in Itilima district. Therefore, examination for urogenital schistosomiasis accompanied with ultrasound among infected individuals is necessary for early detection of lesions in the urinary tract system.
PB - University of Dar es Salaam - DIGITAL COMMONS JOURNALS PY - 2026 SP - 1 EP - 10 T2 - Tanzania Journal of Science TI - Epidemiology and ultrasonographic observations of urogenital schistosomiasis related urinary tract morbidity in Itilima district, Simiyu region, Tanzania UR - https://commons.udsm.ac.tz/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2261&context=tjs VL - 52 SN - 2507-7961 ER -