A pilot study using wearable global positioning system data loggers to compare water contact levels: Schistosoma haematobium infection in pre-school-age children (PSAC) and their mothers at Barombi Kotto, Cameroon

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2018 Jul 1;112(7):361-365. doi: 10.1093/trstmh/try059.

Abstract

Background: Barombi Kotto, Cameroon serves as a reference location for assessing intervention strategies against Schistosoma haematobium.

Methods: As part of a pilot study, the whole community was treated with praziquantel, inclusive of pre-school-age children (PSAC) and their mothers. One year later, egg-patent infections were reassessed and water contact patterns of 12 pairs of PSAC and their mothers were measured with global positioning system (GPS) data loggers.

Results: A substantial reduction in general infection prevalence, from 44.8% to 12.2%, was observed but certain PSAC and mothers continued to have egg-patent infections. Analysis of GPS data demonstrated similar water contact levels between the child and mother groups, although certain individuals were numerical outliers.

Conclusions: This study shows the potential of GPS data loggers to clarify the at-risk status of PSAC and mothers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Cameroon / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Environmental Exposure / analysis*
  • Female
  • Female Urogenital Diseases / drug therapy
  • Female Urogenital Diseases / epidemiology
  • Female Urogenital Diseases / parasitology
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Humans
  • Lakes*
  • Male
  • Mass Drug Administration
  • Pilot Projects
  • Praziquantel / therapeutic use
  • Prevalence
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Risk Assessment
  • Schistosoma haematobium / growth & development*
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / drug therapy
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / epidemiology*
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / parasitology
  • Urogenital System / parasitology*
  • Water*
  • Wearable Electronic Devices

Substances

  • Water
  • Praziquantel