The Epidemiological Trend of Schistosomiasis in the Oforikrom Municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Abstract

Schistosomiasis, a debilitating parasitic disease, poses significant public health concerns worldwide, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ghana, one of the endemic countries, continues to report recurring outbreaks. This study investigated the trends and prevalence of schistosomiasis to inform targeted interventions in the Oforikrom Municipality of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. A retrospective design was adopted, focusing on trend analysis to examine the prevalence and patterns of schistosomiasis. Stratified random sampling and purposive sampling were employed to select participants. The study targeted male and female individuals of all ages diagnosed with schistosomiasis who sought treatment between 2014 and 2023 at selected hospitals within Oforikrom Municipality. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. A total of 620 confirmed cases were recorded, representing a prevalence of 15.82%, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Hospital (18.08%) and Aninwa Hospital (17.37%) reported higher prevalence rates than Graceland Hospital (11.62%). A significant difference was observed among the three hospitals (p = 0.006, 95% CI: 6.89–24.49). The results also showed a slight female predominance (51.13%) compared with males (48.87%). Cases were distributed across facilities as follows: University Hospital, KNUST (35.00%), Aninwa Medical Centre (42.42%), and Graceland Hospital (22.58%). The highest number of cases occurred among individuals aged 21–30 years (189 cases, 30%), while the lowest was among those aged 61–70 years (15 cases, 3.1%). University Hospital recorded the most cases in the 11–20 years age group, while Aninwa and Graceland Hospitals reported the highest cases in the 21–30 years age group. The study recommends that public health authorities implement targeted health education initiatives, particularly for older individuals, focusing on specific risk factors such as occupational exposure to contaminated water sources.