FACTORS CHARACTERIZING HIGH URINARY SCHISTOSOMIASIS PREVALENCE RATES IN MUFUMBWE DISTRICT, NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE OF ZAMBIA: A MULTIFACETED EPIDEMIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION

Abstract

Urinary schistosomiasis remains a persistent public health challenge in Mufumbwe District, North Western Province of Zambia, with high prevalence rates that warrant a comprehensive investigation. This multifaceted epidemiological study explores the factors contributing to the elevated prevalence rates of urinary schistosomiasis in the region. Through a combination of extensive field surveys, parasitological examinations, and community engagement, we identified key determinants that characterize the high prevalence rates. Our findings indicate a complex interplay of environmental, sociodemographic, and behavioral factors that perpetuate the transmission of the disease. Factors such as proximity to contaminated water sources, inadequate sanitation facilities, limited access to safe drinking water, and seasonal variations in water contact behaviors contribute significantly to the continued high prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis. Additionally, sociodemographic factors, including age and gender, play a role in disease distribution, with school-age children and males being disproportionately affected. These insights highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions, including improved sanitation infrastructure, access to clean water, and health education programs tailored to the local context. A holistic approach that combines preventive chemotherapy with community-driven initiatives is essential to break the cycle of infection and reduce the burden of urinary schistosomiasis in Mufumbwe District. This study underscores the importance of multifaceted epidemiological investigations in understanding the complex dynamics of schistosomiasis transmission and guiding evidence-based control strategies in endemic regions like Mufumbwe