By Charles Mwangi
Worms including schistosomiasis infections are very common in the Lake Region. Even though not prioritized, they are serious problems that need to be dealt with.
It is estimated that over 2 billion people around the world are infected. Over more than 300 million are highly infected while 155,000 people annually die from worms.
According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated almost 52% of Tanzanians could be infected by worms. Research shows in the Lake Zone, the infections are not treated as a matter of priority.
Prof. Humphrey Mazigo from CUHAS said, “17 health problems including schistosomiasis and worms highly affects the poor people that live around the tropical regions, it mostly affects children and many who live under the usage of 2 dollars”
He also explained that schistosomiasis is a health problem caused by a parasitic worm called schistosomes that infects the blood system.
Furthermore schistosomiasis is faced by millions of people in the world and Tanzania being one of the countries that are affected mostly in the regions near water bodies such as lakes and the ocean.
Statistical results from World Health Organizations has estimated 52% of Tanzamians are infected with schistosomiasis and worms, and mostly the affected are those that live in poor societies.
Schistosomiasis is caused by eating or drinking foods that have the eggs of Schistosoma worms.
Doc. Mabali Leonard noted, ”schistosomiasis and worms is still a major health problem in Mwanza and other lake regions.” The rate of those that are infected in lake zones goes from 50% to 80% according to the continuous research done.
In Mwanza many that get infected are mostly those that indulge themselves with the cultivation of rice and fishing.
“The reason why it’s not prioritized is due to the late symptoms that occur to the person infected that happens when the health condition is very serious, different from other health problems whereby the patients seek early medical aid because of the symptoms showing up before it becomes serious to the person.” He said.
The worm’s eggs are transmitted to the water bodies when a person that is infected defecates in or near the water, then later carried and spread by the snails or when people directly get into contact with the infected water.
“Schistosomiasis mostly affects the bladder and stomach and in the Lake Zones research shows that many are infected in their stomachs. Also when it spreads in the blood system it damages the veins and might also lead to liver failure and make one to vomit blood, and when it affects the bladder it can lead to cancer and can even cause one to urinate blood due to the damaged blood veins. And when the stomach is affected it makes the person defecate blood .” Said Doc. Mabali
Hence, we see that it is best that society knows the problem exists and should join hands in the fight against the health problem..
“A person can live with the eggs of the worms for many years without noticing but will start to notice when the effects are dire.” He added.
Whereby one of the effects is feeling nauseous and vomiting, urinating blood and vomiting blood, though it should be noted that you can vomit blood due to other health problems such as ulcers.
In Mwanza region Doc. Mabali added that, children from age 5 to 14 will be given medical aid that will boost their immunity and 288.474 million has been provided to aid on this campaign of the children’s welfare.
To reduce the rate of infections, it is important that one maintains good hygiene and good toilets should be built.
The group of people that most likely get affected are children but various ongoing projects are being conducted in various places such as Nyamagana and Ilemela district on providing medical aid to the people so that they can face the health problem.
So that the problem is controlled, the council that deals with national finance is willing to provide financial aid in the fight against schistosomiasis and worms.
Judith Mkatesi said, “there is a need for the government to work together with various health institutions in educating the people on schistosomiasis and worms, especially those that live near Lake Zones. Also people should be encouraged to build proper toilets and avoid polluting the lakes with human wastes and the government to also make sure that they provide important service to the people while aiding in preserving the environment.”
*Charles Mwangi is a student at St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), Mwanza taking Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Marketing (BAPRM). Email cmmwangi85@gmail.com