Menace of Schistosomiasis: Its True Neglected Nature in Nigeria

Prevalence and risk factors associated with urogenital schistosomiasis among primary school pupils in Nigeria

“…As a result, Nigeria also requires the greatest intervention to help control and eradicate the disease ( Uchendu et al, 2017 ). The first reported case of schistosomiasis in Nigeria was in 1908, ( Bishop, 2017 )) and numerous studies are available on the epidemiology, prevalence and risk factors associated with this disease. It is worth noting that some of these reports conflict with one another ( Emmanuel et al, 2017 ).…”

“…For many areas in Nigeria, no reliable systematic report has been published on the epidemiological status of this disease ( Houmsou et al, 2011 ), and it was only recently, 4th June 2015, that Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) officially released the first epidemiological data on the prevalence of this disease ( Global Network Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2015 ). The data showed that roughly 24 million people in Nigeria are at the risk of infection and that there is a prevalence of almost 9.5% ( Bishop, 2017 ). The control program initiated by the FMOH, State Ministry of Health, and other institutions, involves the use of chemotherapy through Mass Drug Administration (MDA), and the administration of praziquantel to infected individuals or to those at risk of infection ( Ejike et al, 2017 ).…”

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“…Poverty is a major driver facilitating the spread of schistosomiasis in Nigeria. Additionally, the lack of access to safe water and adequate sanitation and toilet facilities exacerbates the situation [4]. In endemic communities like Gwako, a large proportion of the population use unsafe streams, ponds and other seasonal stagnant water bodies for domestic and agricultural purposes [5].…”

“…In endemic communities like Gwako, a large proportion of the population use unsafe streams, ponds and other seasonal stagnant water bodies for domestic and agricultural purposes [5]. The indiscriminate disposal of human faeces into water sources through open defecation also aids the spread of disease agents and vectors [4].…”

Ligand based-design of potential schistosomiasis inhibitors through QSAR, homology modeling, molecular dynamics, pharmacokinetics, and DFT studies

“… 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 In addition, Bishop and colleagues have emphasized that the persistent nature of the disease poses substantial challenges to control efforts. 11 Current treatments rely on a single drug, praziquantel (PZQ), and are hindered by drug resistance and limited effectiveness against juvenile worms. 12 , 13 , 14 Therefore, the discovery of more potent inhibitors targeting Schistosoma species is critical.…”