Gastro-intestinal symptoms associated with intense Schistosoma mansoni infection affect class-attentiveness of schoolchildren in Ethiopia.

Abstract Objective To assess effect of subtle morbidities related to schistosomiasis mansoni on class-attentiveness of schoolchildren. Methods A cross-sectional study was undertaken involving 568 schoolchildren (mean age 13.4 years; 333 from Schistosoma mansoni endemic villages (Sille and Worke-Mado) and 235 from the non-endemic town Sheno. A questionnaire on signs and symptoms of ill-health was administered to all study subjects. In addition, parasitological and nutritional anthropometric data were collected. All study subjects from S. mansoni endemic areas were treated with praziquantel and albendazol while children from the non-endemic town were only treated with albendazol. Findings Pre…