The distribution of Schistosoma haematobium in the Isoka district, Zambia; and a possible strategy for its control

The distribution of schools prevalent for Schistosoma haematobium in the Isoka district, Zambia was estimated by examining haematuria in the urine of the pupils found in Grades Three, Four or Five using reagent sticks. Thirty three (57 pc) schools had prevalence rates of 25 pc or more. The distribution of S. haematobium was patchy with significant differences in prevalence rates between some areas only short distances apart. A sociological study in the same schools showed that 68 (97 pc) head/senior teachers associated the disease with blood in urine and agreed to perform a reagent stick test on their pupils' urine. Thirty five (50 pc) of these respondents considered S. haematobium infection as a major problem and 66 (94 pc) of them were ready to administer a diagnostic questionnaire to their pupils in a study to identify high risk schools for S. haematobium. We conclude that the identification of high risk schools in the Isoka district, Zambia, using a diagnostic questionnaire and reagent stick testing by teachers, should proceed as a step to controlling S. haematobium infection in the district.