02525nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001260001000042653002600052653001400078653001700092653003100109100001400140700001200154700001500166700001600181700001200197700001300209245019200222856007600414300000700490520176100497022002502258       2025                            d  bWiley10aHematological profile10aHematuria10aRisk factors10aUrogenital schistosomiasis1 aBoakye AN1 aHatsu N1 aAkwetey SA1 aKarikari AB1 aAtta SK1 aAddae MM00aPrevalence and Hematological Changes in Urogenital Schistosomiasis: Infection Persistence in the Phase of Mass Drug Administration in Sempoa (Kwahu East, Ghana): A Cross‐Sectional Study  uhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11779747/pdf/HSR2-8-e70404.pdf  a103 a<p><strong>Background:&nbsp;</strong>Schistosomiasis is a chronic neglected tropical disease and Ghana's second most prevalent helminth infection. The annual mass drug administration of praziquantel to school children is aimed at reducing disease morbidity as a public health problem.AimThe study aimed to assess the prevalence and hematological profile of urinary schistosomiasis in Sempoa after over a decade of consecutive Mass Drug Administration (MDA) of praziquantel.</p>

<p><strong>Methods:&nbsp;</strong>A community‐based cross‐sectional study involving 126 participants was conducted. Schistosoma haematobium eggs were identified and quantified using the urine filtration‐microscopy technique. The hematological profile was analyzed using a fully automated 5‐part Sysmex XN‐350 (Sysmex Co, Germany) analyzer.</p>

<p><strong>Results:&nbsp;</strong>The study recorded a prevalence of 21.6% that was significantly related to water contact activities. Schistosomiasis was significantly associated with lower levels of Red Blood Cell (RBC) indices; MCV (p &lt; 0.001), MCHC (p &lt; 0.001), and MCH (p = 0.01) with higher platelet, lymphocytes, and basophil counts compared to the uninfected. Heavy infection was significantly associated with lower hemoglobin levels. The study further reported microhaematuria as a sensitive and specific proxy diagnostic tool for field surveillance in endemic communities.</p>

<p><strong>Conclusion:&nbsp;</strong>Urinary schistosomiasis accompanied by an altered hematological profile persists in Sempoa under preventive praziquantel. Future control interventions must consider an integrated approach of marrying behavioral change, with preventive chemotherapy and vector control.</p>
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