Prevalence and Hematological Changes in Urogenital Schistosomiasis: Infection Persistence in the Phase of Mass Drug Administration in Sempoa (Kwahu East, Ghana): A Cross-Sectional Study

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. The 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. A community-based cross-sectional study involving 126 participants was conducted. 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. 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 (