Malacological Survey of Schistosomiasis Vectors in the Periphery of Luanda: A Case Study of the Calumbo and Funda Communes in the First Semester of 2023

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a public health problem and endemic in rural and peri-urban areas of many countries around the world, including Angola. Its establishment depends on the species of planorbids, the level of basic sanitation, climatic conditions and the contact of the human population with mollusc breeding sites. With the aim of carrying out a malacological survey of schistosomiasis vectors in the communes of Calumbo and Funda in the first half of 2023, this descriptive-exploratory research was carried out, with a quantitative and qualitative approach model. Snails were collected by hand-picking. The collected material was packed in plastic bags, labeled and transported to the laboratory of the Faculty of Natural Sciences for analysis. A socioeconomic survey and a survey of the habits of the local population were also carried out. The results showed the low education of the population of Calumbo and Funda, the lack of basic sanitation and hygiene; the abundant presence of snails, with Bulinus sp. being the most representative in both communes. The Commune of Calumbo was the one that presented the greatest specific richness with two species Bulinus sp. and Lymnaea sp. It was concluded that both have poor sanitation and hygiene conditions and the presence of the snail Bulinus sp., an intermediate host of Schistosoma haematobium. Health education measures, the implementation of sewage systems and prevention against this disease are recommended.