Urinary schistosomiasis in southern Ghana: A logistic regression approach to data from a community-based integrated control program

The data for this analysis are based on the schistosomiasis control project of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana, designed to study the feasibility and effectiveness of an integrated schistosomiasis control program. It embraced chemotherapy and health education for community motivation. The study was carried out from 1993 to 1997. This paper presents observations made 24 months after intervention. Eight communities in southern Ghana were grouped into three areas. Individuals in all the areas received praziquantel after the baseline data collection in 1992-1993. Area 1 had passive while Area 3 received active health education. Area 2 received no education. Prevalence of schistosomiasis was the response variable of interest while age, sex, and area were considered as possible influencing variables. The model for the baseline data indicated no significant difference in prevalence among the three areas. The model 24 months after intervention indicated a significant difference among the three areas, suggesting a possible influence of the health education that motivated community participation in the provision of facilities for the control of schistosomiasis.