Schistosoma haematobium infection among school age children in two peri-urban areas of Lusaka, Zambia: A cross-sectional study

Recent epidemiological findings published in scientific literature have shed light on the persistent public health challenge posed by urogenital schistosomiasis in peri-urban settings surrounding Zambia's capital. A cross-sectional study focusing on school-age children across the Chongwe and Kafue districts within Lusaka Province has uncovered notable infection distributions, emphasizing that vector-borne and water-related neglected tropical diseases remain active in developing communities. Utilizing a combination of diagnostic techniques including microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), researchers assessed the prevalence and associated risk factors among local youth. The study enrolled over 200 participants from selected basic schools, revealing that infection rates varied significantly by geographic location. Specifically, children residing in the Chongwe district exhibited a substantially higher prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium compared to their counterparts in Kafue. Diagnostic tools such as microscopy and qPCR consistently pointed toward a heavier burden in Chongwe, signaling localized environmental or behavioral factors that exacerbate exposure risks. While gender did not present a statistically significant association with infection status, age emerged as a notable factor influencing vulnerability across the cohort. Public health experts note that while schistosomiasis is traditionally associated with remote rural areas near large water bodies, rapid urbanization and inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure in peri-urban fringes have created conducive environments for transmission. Many communities on the periphery of Lusaka rely on unprotected water sources for domestic use and recreational activities, heightening the risk of contact with contaminated water containing infected freshwater snails. These dynamics indicate that transmission cycles are deeply entrenched in daily commu