PATTERN OF SCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI INFECTION AFTER INTERVENTION IN MWEA IRRIGATION SCHEME IN KENYA

A longitudinal study of Schistosoma mansoni reinfection rate was carri ed out in an endemic area of Kenya, after intervention. Intervention m easures applied involved chemotherapy, community mobilization to effec t change in water contact habits and faecal disposal. This paper focus es on S. mansoni reinfection pattern over a two-year period. The age g roup 5-19 years showed an increasing trend of reinfection as compared to the 30-59 years age group. More than 50% in the 5-19 year age group had been reinfected by twelve months of follow-up. They were also res ponsible of 91% of all the egg-load and 83% of all the infections at t he end of the study period. Since majority of the 5-19 year age group comprises school children, there is an urgent need of including issues related to schistosomiasis in the school curriculum especially in the endemic areas.