Abstract
Objective: In the tropics, infections by Schistosoma haematobium and soil-transmitted helminths speciesare widespread and Republic of Benin is no exception. This study aims to assess the epidemiologicalstatus of urogenital schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminths in schoolchildren of Sô-Ava town in theDepartment of Atlantic in Southern Benin.Methodology and Results: The biological material was composed of urine and stool collected from fromPublic Primary Schools in Sôchanhoué, Sôtchanhoué Quarter and Sô-Zounko between April to August2012 . Six hundred and four urine samples were examined by filtration technique and 363 stool sampleswere examined by Kato-Katz test. Malacological surveys were conducted to assess the diversity offreshwater snails and determine the snail species involved in the transmission of schistosomiasis. Theresults showed infection rates of S. haematobium of 22.22% (N = 153), 21.43% (N = 182) and 46.47% (N =269) in the three prospected sites, respectively, with an overall infection rate of 32.78% (N = 604) with asmany boys as girls infected and children 7 to 8 years of age the most affected. Three species of soiltransmittedhelminths were found with an overall prevalence of 12.12% (N = 44) of people infected with atleast one of the three parasites Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura or Enterobius vermicularis. Theresults showed that the parasite densities of S. haematobium and soil-transmitted helminths were thegreatest in children aged 7 to 8 years, especially boys. Three species of freshwater snails known asintermediate hosts for schistosomes were collected: Bulinus forskalii, B. globosus and B. truncatus.Conclusion: This study was used to assess the level of endemicity of urinary schistosomiasis and soiltransmittedhelminths in human populations of the Nokoue Lake area and allows considering theappropriate means of controlling these parasites.