Submission Type
Poster
Start Date
4-22-2020
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a leading parasitic infection that debilitates many individuals in sub Saharan Africa. Because this parasitic infection involves a snail as an intermediate host, we use a native prawn species as a natural predator to decrease the population of this snail community. This study focuses on Tomefa, a primarily fishing peri-urban community located oi the outskirts of Accra, the capital city of Ghana. A survey was also given to the local community measuring economic characteristics. In the laboratory, Macrobrachium spp prawn exhibit preference of Bulinus snails over Biomphalaria snails while non-parasitic snails were consumed in higher proportion to parasitized snails. Of the local community surveyed, 72.5% classified fishing as their primary source of income. With a median income of 400 GC in the community, these prawns would provide an aquaculture opportunity to increase incomes. The introduction of Macrobrachium spp into the Weija reservoir has potential to decrease the total population of snails hosting the schistosome parasite while also increasing the socioeconomic status in the local fishing community. This project was funded by The Edward Pettinella '73 Endowed Ambassadorship in Business.
Recommended Citation
Sutton, Lucas, "298— Rural Economic Growth and Disease Intervention in Ghana; The Edward Pettinella '73 Endowed Ambassadorship in Business" (2020). GREAT Day Posters. 46.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2020/posters-2020/46
Included in
Behavior and Ethology Commons, Biology Commons, Environmental Public Health Commons, Health Economics Commons, Other Public Health Commons, Parasitic Diseases Commons
298— Rural Economic Growth and Disease Intervention in Ghana; The Edward Pettinella '73 Endowed Ambassadorship in Business
Schistosomiasis is a leading parasitic infection that debilitates many individuals in sub Saharan Africa. Because this parasitic infection involves a snail as an intermediate host, we use a native prawn species as a natural predator to decrease the population of this snail community. This study focuses on Tomefa, a primarily fishing peri-urban community located oi the outskirts of Accra, the capital city of Ghana. A survey was also given to the local community measuring economic characteristics. In the laboratory, Macrobrachium spp prawn exhibit preference of Bulinus snails over Biomphalaria snails while non-parasitic snails were consumed in higher proportion to parasitized snails. Of the local community surveyed, 72.5% classified fishing as their primary source of income. With a median income of 400 GC in the community, these prawns would provide an aquaculture opportunity to increase incomes. The introduction of Macrobrachium spp into the Weija reservoir has potential to decrease the total population of snails hosting the schistosome parasite while also increasing the socioeconomic status in the local fishing community. This project was funded by The Edward Pettinella '73 Endowed Ambassadorship in Business.
Comments
Sponsored by Lytton Smith