EVALUATION OF REAGENT STRIPS FOR DETECTION OF SCHISTOSOMA-HAEMATOBIUMINFECTION IN THE LOWER AWASH VALLEY, ETHIOPIA

The use of reagent strips as indirect morbidity indicators in Schistos oma haematobium infection has been assessed in comparison with urine f iltration technique in the lower Awash valley of Ethiopia in 1991. The prevalence of infection by reagent sticks and urine filtration was 16 .0% and 3.6%, respectively. Reagent stick haematuria was highly relate d with urine filtration at the 2 + limit rather than the 1 + limit. A strong association was also obtained between prevalence rate and inten sity of infection of all children at both haematuria limits. The preva lence of haematuria was not sex-related but there was age-associated i nfection and the prevalence was highest in the 10-13 year age group. T he possible use of reagent stick haematuria in the monitoring of S. ha ematobium infection in Ethiopia is discussed.