Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) prevalent in tropical areas including Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Our sample includes individuals, both male and female, ages 8-26 in a small community outside Accra, Ghana. We have looked at two aspects of this disease that include biological data as well as Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) data. Due to the nature ofSchistosoma mansoniandS. haematobium,reinfection is quite common as well as coinfection. Both of these phenomena might correlate with differences in severity of symptom presentation, as well as the quantity of eggs passed in urine and stool. Data was collected from blood, stool, and urine samples over the course of 6 years. Possible correlations between egg count and coinfection were found, where higher egg counts were found in individuals infected with both species. We also are presenting new data following the reclassification of quantitative data for longitudinal analysis. The KAP survey method produces quantitative and qualitative results that help us to determine the habitual and cultural practices that are known to increase an individual's risk of contracting the parasite. Our research aims to determine if there is a correlation between participation in high-risk behaviors and coinfection with the two species of schistosomes. The information provided by our analysis can be used to educate individuals in the community of practices that contribute to coinfection. We found that education initiatives do not necessarily correlate to a decrease in high-risk behaviors.
Recommended Citation
Saynuk, Miranda, "229-Analysis of KAP Survey Data and Biological Trends in Schistosomiasis Reinfections and Coinfections" (2024). GREAT Day Posters. 61.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2024/posters-2024/61
229-Analysis of KAP Survey Data and Biological Trends in Schistosomiasis Reinfections and Coinfections
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) prevalent in tropical areas including Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. Our sample includes individuals, both male and female, ages 8-26 in a small community outside Accra, Ghana. We have looked at two aspects of this disease that include biological data as well as Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) data. Due to the nature ofSchistosoma mansoniandS. haematobium,reinfection is quite common as well as coinfection. Both of these phenomena might correlate with differences in severity of symptom presentation, as well as the quantity of eggs passed in urine and stool. Data was collected from blood, stool, and urine samples over the course of 6 years. Possible correlations between egg count and coinfection were found, where higher egg counts were found in individuals infected with both species. We also are presenting new data following the reclassification of quantitative data for longitudinal analysis. The KAP survey method produces quantitative and qualitative results that help us to determine the habitual and cultural practices that are known to increase an individual's risk of contracting the parasite. Our research aims to determine if there is a correlation between participation in high-risk behaviors and coinfection with the two species of schistosomes. The information provided by our analysis can be used to educate individuals in the community of practices that contribute to coinfection. We found that education initiatives do not necessarily correlate to a decrease in high-risk behaviors.