Urinary schistosomiasis in the Sichili Health Zone, Western Province, Zambia.

The distribution of Schistosoma haematobium in the Sichili Health Zone in the Western Province of Zambia was studied by performing cross-sectional surveys in Mwanalulenga (n = 493), a cluster of rural settlements along the Namakala stream and the Machili river, Mulobezi (n = 114), a semi-urban settlement along the Mulobezi river; and school-based surveys in Mulauli (n = 85), a small rural settlement along the Machili river, and in Sichili (n = 199), along the Namakala stream. The S. haematobium infection was assessed by the urine filtration technique. Prevalences ranged from 20.6 to 87.1%, 23.8% of all people were heavily infected (greater than or equal to 50 eggs per 10 ml of urine).