FREQUENCY OF HEMATURIA AND PROTEINURIA AMONG SCHISTOSOMA-HAEMATOBIUM INFECTED CHILDREN OF 2 COMMUNITIES FROM LIBERIA AND TANZANIA

Abstract

The frequencies of hematuria and proteinuria among children of 2 rural communities with different S. haematobium endemicity from Liberia and Tanzania were compared. Although the prevalence and intensity of S. haematobium infections were lower in the Tanzanian community, the frequencies of hematuria and proteinuria were significantly higher when compared to the Liberian community. The semiquantitative dip stick tests for hematuria and proteinuria showed a comparable, good specificity (hematuria 85%, proteinuria 80%), but a community-specific sensitivity. The dip stick test for hematuria detected 85% (proteinuria 82%) of all S. haematobium infected subjects in Tanzania compared to 68% (proteinuria 57%) in Liberia. The significance of these observations in relation to S. haematobium related morbidity was discussed.