Prevalence and distribution of schistosomiasis in Zimbabwe

Surveys for schistosomiasis of 14 619 eight- to ten-year-old children from 157 schools in Zimbabwe are reported. Zimbabwe is divided into three regions on the basis of differing prevalences of Schistosoma haematobium, with mean prevalence levels in each zone of 63.2, 37.1 and 14.3%. Two regions were identified for S. mansoni, with mean prevalence levels of 15.2 and 1.5%. In most regions Commercial Farming areas were shown to have higher levels of infection than Subsistence Farming areas. Females showed a significantly lower prevalence of infection with S. haematobium than males in all areas. Age prevalence surveys in support of the major survey showed the seven- to 20-year-old age group to contain 91.5% of the heavy infections with S. haematobium and 83.7% of the heavy infections with S. mansoni. The availability of surface water is recognized as the major factor governing the distribution and prevalence of schistosomiasis. Control of schistosomiasis is briefly discussed.