MICROGEOGRAPHICAL PATTERNS OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS AND WATER CONTACT-BEHAVIOR - EXAMPLES FROM AFRICA AND BRAZIL

This paper examines the results of spatial (microgeographical) water c ontact/schistosomiasis studies in two African (Egyptian and Kenyan) an d one Brazilian communities. All three studies used traditional cartog raphic and statistical methods but one of them emploeyd also GIS (geog raphical information systems) tools. The advantage of GIS and their po tential role in schistosomiasis control are briefly described. The thr ee cases revealed consider able variation in the spatial distribution of water contact, transmission parameters and infection level at the h ousehold and individual levels. All studies showed considerable variat ions in the prevalence and intensity of infection between households. They also show ct variable influence of distance on water contact beha vior associated with type of activity, age, sex, socioeconomic level, perception of water quality, season and availability of water in the h ome. Water contact behavior and schistosomiasis were evaluated in the Brazilian village of Nova Uniao within the context of water sharing be tween household and age/sex groups. Recommendations are made for furth er spatial studies on the transmission and control of schistosomiasis.