120 -- Schistosome Infections Affect on Hemoglobin in Ghana

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection that affected nearly 237 million people worldwide in 2019, Africa, Asia, and South America are the most affected regions. Adult Schistosomes consume red blood cells in the human bodies, which may lead to anemia. Data were acquired from blood, stool, and urine samples of school children in the highly affected community of Tomefa in Accra, Ghana over the course of 6 years. Hemoglobin, eggs of Schistosoma mansoni and S. haemotobium were recorded. Anemic levels of hemoglobin were observed at high levels throughout the community regardless of infection status. Anemia is endemic within Ghana with around 47% of the country affected. Possible correlation between hemoglobin levels and Schistosome infections is investigated through a longitudinal study. Initial analysis using t-tests indicated no significant correlation between infection status and hemoglobin level. This indicates that hemoglobin levels are not highly influenced by infection status as it is by other factors such as micronutrient deficiency.