Morbidity due to Schistosoma mansoni among Sugar-Cane Cutters in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Quantitative determination of Schistosoma mansoni infection was carried out on 1995 cane cutters of the Hippo Valley and Triangle Sugar Estates. A total of 315 cutters were chosen for the study on the basis of S. mansoni infection and lack of anti-schistosomal chemotherapy during the previous three years. Stool consistency and blood and mucus in stool were determined for all the infected cutters. Overt and occult blood in stool was detected in a significantly high number of infected people compared to the control subjects (χ₂ p0.05). Symmer's periportal fibrosis (PPF) of various degrees of severity was detected in 47% of the infected people and grade one liver fibrosis was found in 7.5% of the control subjects (p<0.0001). Some 54.5% of those infected complained of abdominal pains compared to 35% of uninfected controls (p<0.01). There was a significant difference in the rate of absenteeism from work due to abdominal pains and diarrhoea among the infected and uninfected cane cutters (p<0.02).