Schistosomiasis and water resources development in Africa: a scoping review and multi-case evaluation of associated snail control

dc.contributor.authorSule, May N.
dc.contributor.authorEl Lahham, Ibrahim
dc.contributor.authorMunkombwe, Mutinta N.
dc.contributor.authorNasike, Patricia
dc.contributor.authorGouvras, Anouk
dc.contributor.authorRollinson, David
dc.contributor.authorMbaziira, Rashid
dc.contributor.authorKanshio, Comfort
dc.contributor.authorDe Leo, Giulio A.
dc.date.accessioned2025-06-30T14:39:32Z
dc.date.available2025-06-30T14:39:32Z
dc.date.freetoread2025-06-30
dc.date.issued2025-06-12
dc.date.pubOnline2025-06-12
dc.description.abstractBackground Water resources development (WRD), specifically infrastructural man-made water bodies such as dams and irrigation schemes, are built to improve water supply, provide energy, and enhance food security. However, dams and irrigation schemes may lead to a dramatic increase in the prevalence of schistosomiasis. Methodology/Principal findings We conducted a scoping review of WRD impacts on schistosomiasis transmission risk in Africa using electronic databases including Scopus, Web of Science, and grey literature. From 1483 retrieved records, we assessed 186 full-text papers and identified 122 articles covering 54 dams and irrigation schemes in 32 African countries. We found that, although the relationship between WRD and schistosomiasis transmission risk is well-documented in the scientific literature, the vast majority of the approximately 1,600 medium- to large-sized dams currently operating in endemic regions of Africa lack before-and-after prevalence data necessary to evaluate their actual impact on schistosomiasis transmission. Our analysis revealed that rigorous epidemiological data to assess WRD’s effects exist for only 11 dams across 9 countries. Additionally, only a limited number of studies provided information on schistosomiasis control methods, surveillance, or monitoring for WRD. Few countries have implemented engineering and biological snail control measures, some of which have proven effective, enabling us to identify successful interventions employed at various stages of the WRD lifecycle. Lastly, to assess these measures in detail, we selected case studies from Africa that illustrate the success and challenges of schistosomiasis control with regard to WRD, thus gaining insights of the global relevance of lessons learnt for the future development of water resources. Conclusions/Significance Our analysis highlighted that an integrated and coordinated approach is vital for the successful control of schistosomiasis transmission risk associated with Water Resources Development. We provide key recommendations which could be adopted by the Continental Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP) with the ultimate goal of decreasing prevalence and moving towards elimination.
dc.description.journalNamePLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
dc.description.sponsorshipThis work was supported by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Impact Acceleration Award block grant allocation to Cranfield University (grant # EP/X525534/1 to MNS).
dc.description.sponsorshipBelmont Collaborative Forum on Climate, Environment and Health; NSF grant # 2522282, NSF grant #DEB – 2011179)
dc.format.mediumPrint-Electronic
dc.identifier.citationSule MN, El Lahham I, Munkombwe MN, et al., (2025) Schistosomiasis and water resources development in Africa: a scoping review and multi-case evaluation of associated snail control. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Volume 19, Issue 6, June 2025, Article number e0013180en_UK
dc.identifier.eissn1935-2735
dc.identifier.elementsID673680
dc.identifier.issn1935-2735
dc.identifier.issueNo6
dc.identifier.paperNoe0013180
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0013180
dc.identifier.urihttps://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/24089
dc.identifier.volumeNo19
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS)en_UK
dc.publisher.urihttps://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0013180
dc.rightsAttribution 4.0 Internationalen
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subject32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciencesen_UK
dc.subject3202 Clinical Sciencesen_UK
dc.subjectInfectionen_UK
dc.subject3 Good Health and Well Beingen_UK
dc.subjectTropical Medicineen_UK
dc.subject31 Biological sciencesen_UK
dc.subject42 Health sciencesen_UK
dc.subject.meshSchistosomiasisen_UK
dc.subject.meshAnimalsen_UK
dc.subject.meshAfricaen_UK
dc.subject.meshHumansen_UK
dc.subject.meshSnailsen_UK
dc.subject.meshWater Resourcesen_UK
dc.subject.meshWater Supplyen_UK
dc.subject.meshPrevalenceen_UK
dc.titleSchistosomiasis and water resources development in Africa: a scoping review and multi-case evaluation of associated snail controlen_UK
dc.typeArticle
dc.type.subtypeArticle
dcterms.dateAccepted2025-05-24

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