Schistosoma haematobium and its impact on school children
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mass drug administration,
praziquantel,
Schistosoma haematobium,
urogenital schistosomiasis
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Abstract
Urogenital schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the blood fluke parasite Schistosoma haematobium, disproportionately affecting school-aged children due to frequent exposure to infested freshwater bodies and low hygiene awareness. This review synthesizes current evidence on the epidemiology, transmission dynamics, clinical pathogenesis, and broader socio-educational impacts of S. haematobium infection among children in endemic regions. Chronic infection induces severe systemic morbidity, including terminal hematuria, dysuria, iron-deficiency anemia, growth stunting, and progressive structural lesions of the bladder and kidneys. Beyond physical health burdens, prolonged parasite exposure compromises cognitive function, memory, school attendance, and academic performance. Although preventive chemotherapy via mass drug administration (MDA) with praziquantel has substantially reduced infection intensity, high reinfection rates highlight the insufficiency of monotherapy. Consequently, sustainable disease control and eventual elimination necessitate an integrated, multi-sectoral framework combining school-based treatment with freshwater snail vector control, improved water and sanitation infrastructure, and targeted community health education.
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