Abstract:

Background: Malaria and urinary schistosomiasis are diseases of public health problem in Tanzania affecting all age groups but children are vulnerable group. Also, these parasitic infections are associated with complications like lesion of the urinary tract, liver enlargement and increased risk of liver fibrosis or bladder cancer for schistosomiasis.

Objective: The main aim of the study was determining prevalence of asymptomatic malaria and urinary schistosomiasis coinfection among children under five years in Sangabuye.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study design involving minimum 120 children under five years at Sangabuye hospital in Mwanza Tanzania was conducted. Serial sampling technique was used to obtain study participants (children under five years). Finger-prick blood samples was collected for Plasmodium parasite detection by malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT). And urine samples were collected for diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis by using urine filtration technique. Data analysis was done by using STATA version 15 as per study objective.

Results: The median age of study participants was 5 (1- 36) months, with equal percentage distribution between male and female children (50%). The prevalence of asymptomatic malaria was 6.7% while that of urinary schistosomiasis was 3.8% and that of coinfection was zero. Also, three variables were significant independent risk factors for malaria and urinary schistosomiasis transmission among study participants which were age (p=0.035 ),medication (p=0.029 ) and work (p=0.036 ) respectively.

Conclusion: There is slightly decrease in infection rate of these parasitic infections, also there is no association between asymptomatic malaria and urinary schistosomiasis. This study recommends further studies should be done on different populations by using more advanced procedures which are more accurate and precisely. Also, e government should provide health education, adequate sanitary facilities, and much safe water supply to the community.