Journal of Biological Sciences1727-30481812-5719Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/jbs.2009.815.819ShatiAli A. 8200998As Aseer region showed the highest rate of human schistosomiasis
in Saudi Arabia in the past few years, it is necessary to investigate
the temporal and spatial variations in patterns of infection and the factors
may have led to such heterogeneity in this region. Therefore, Generalised
Linear Models (GLMs) were used to study the temporal and spatial variations
in the prevalence of human schistosomiasis in two areas in Aseer region:
Abha and Tihamah over eight years period (2000-2007). In addition, the
contribution of various biotic and abiotic factors to the prevalence of
the infection was estimated. Data of 1004953 people (682982 from Abha
and 321971 from Tihamah) examined for infection were used in the analysis.
In general, there was a decline in the prevalence of schistosomiasis over
the study period and the prevalence of infection in Tihamah was significantly
less than it was in Abha. Prevalence of schistosomiasis in Abha but not
in Tihamah was significantly affected by seasons as people in Abha had
the highest infection rate in summer. Schistosomiasis infection rate was
affected by host sex as males had higher infection rate than females.
Age group of 15-35 showed the highest infection rate. Infection rate was
also positively correlated with snail infection rate. Prevalence of schistosomiasis
in non-Saudi people was significantly higher than it was in Saudi people.
This study showed that many abiotic and biotic factors have contributed
to human schistosomiasis in Aseer region. There also was a spatial variation
in the prevalence of schistosomiasis in this region as it was higher Abha
than it was in Tihamah. Therefore, more attention should be paid to Abha
area in the future schistosome control programmes beside the intensive
control programmes being applied to Tihamah.]]>Appleton, C.C.,197811125Brooker, S.,200710118Capron, A., M. Capron and G. Riveau,200262139148Clennon, J.A., C.H. King, E.M Muchiri, H.C. Kariuki, J.H. Ouma, P. Mungai and U. Kitron,200470443448Cox, F.E.,19932nd Edn.,Crawley, M.J.,2002Pages: 761Pages: 761Gryseels, B., K. Polman, J. Clerinx and L. Kestens,200636811061118Khoby, T.E., N. Galal, A. Fenwick, R. Barakat and A.E. Hawey et al.,2000628899Engels, D., L. Chitsulo, A. Montresor and L. Savioli,200282139146Hammam, H.M., A.H. Zarzour, F.M. Moftah, M.A. Abdul-Aty and A.H. Hany et al.,2000628087Klein, S.L.,200426247264Martens, W.J.M.,199510131McCullagh, P. and J.A. Nelder,19892nd Edn.,Pages: 536Pages: 536Michelson, E.H.,1961736674Okpala, H.O., E. Agwu, M.I. Agba, O.R. Chimezie, G.O. Nwobu and A.A. Ohihoin,2004314Spear, R.C., E. Seto, S. Liang, M. Birkner and A. Hubbard et al.,2004704856Satayathum, S.A., E.M. Muchiri, J.H. Ouma, C.C. Whalen and C.H. King,2006758392Scott, D., K. Senker and E.C. England,19826089100Scott, J.T., M. Diakhate, K. Vereecken, A. Fall and M. Diop et al.,20038100108Ministry of Health,20022002Talaat, M., A.E. Ayyat, H.A. Sayed and F.D. Miller,199960822826Thieltges, D., K. Jensen and R. Poulin,2008135407426Venables, W.N. and B.D. Ripley,20024th Edn.,Zhou, X.N., G.J. Yang, K. Yang, X.H. Wang and Q.B. Hong et al.,200878188194Zuk, M. and K.A. McKean,19962610091023