Use of a Tablet-Based System to Perform Abdominal Ultrasounds in a Field Investigation of Schistosomiasis-Related Morbidity in Western Kenya

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2021 Jan 11;104(3):898-901. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-1175.

Abstract

Chronic intestinal schistosomiasis can cause severe hepatosplenic disease and is a neglected tropical disease of public health importance in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya. Although the goal of control programs is to reduce morbidity, milestones for program performance focus on reductions in prevalence and intensity of infection, rather than actual measures of morbidity. Using ultrasound to measure hepatosplenic disease severity is an accepted method of determining schistosomiasis-related morbidity; however, ultrasound has not historically been considered a field-deployable tool because of equipment limitations and unavailability of expertise. A point-of-care tablet-based ultrasound system was used to perform abdominal ultrasounds in a field investigation of schistosomiasis-related morbidity in western Kenya; during the study, other pathologies and pregnancies were also identified via ultrasound, and participants referred to care. Recent technological advances may make it more feasible to implement ultrasound as part of a control program and can also offer important benefits to the community.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Computers, Handheld*
  • Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Kenya / epidemiology
  • Morbidity
  • Prevalence
  • Public Health / methods
  • Public Health / statistics & numerical data
  • Radiography, Abdominal / methods
  • Radiography, Abdominal / statistics & numerical data*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / diagnosis*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / epidemiology
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / mortality
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / physiopathology*
  • Ultrasonography / methods*
  • Ultrasonography / statistics & numerical data*