Urinary Schistosomiasis Among Pupils in Public Primary Schools at Riverine Areas in North-Central Nigeria Nyamngee Amase1 *; Ahmed H. Sadiya1 , Sulaiman M. Kehinde1 , Akanbi II A. Ajibola2

Abstract

Background: Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic flatworms called the Schistosomes and do spread within its hosts by contacts with fresh water that is contaminated with the infective cercaria. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among public primary school pupils at Riverine areas in North-central Nigeria. Methods: Urine samples were collected from 1,393 pupils aged 4-12years and analysed using microscopy to detect the presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs. Results: The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was significantly high (39.8%), p<0.05 and the egg counts revealed that most of these infections were light infections (≤ 50 eggs/10 mL urine). A comparison of the intensity of infection between light, moderate and high infections was not statistically significant p>0.05. This infection cuts across all age groups with the highest prevalence from the 7-9 years age group. More males were infected compared to female pupils with no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of Urinary schistosomiasis was significantly high among primary school pupils in the study area. This study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions, including health education about this infection and mass medication to mitigate the burden of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school pupils.

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Keywords

Citation

urinary schistosomiasis; pupils; public primary schools; riverine areas; nigeria

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