Prevalence of <em>Schistosoma haematobium</em> infection among school-aged children in Afikpo North local government area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The present study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium among school children of ages 5 to 16 years in Afikpo North L.G.A. of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The study was carried out between February 2016 and January 2017. Urine samples were analyzed in the laboratory using the sedimentation and centrifugation technique. Of 504 persons (250 males and 254 females) that were randomly selected and screened for S. haematobium infection, 20 (3.97 %) were found to be infected. The intensity of infection was greater in males (n=12; 2.38 %) than in the females (n =8; 1.59 %). The sex of an individual was not statistically associated with the prevalence of S. haematobium. The highest prevalence rate of S. haematobium was recorded in the age bracket of 14-16 yrs. 7 (1.39 %) while the least prevalent was recorded among the 5-7 yrs. 2 (0.40 %). There is no significant relationship between the age and the prevalence of S. haematobium (p> 0.05). No case of infection was found in the pupils using boreholes and rain water. The highest prevalence with respect to the source of water was in pupils using the stream 15(2.98%). There was a significant relationship between the source of water and the prevalence of S. haematobium. Additionally, there was no significant relationship between occupation of the parents and the prevalence of S. haematobium (p> 0.05). The results reveal that the prevalence of S. haematobium is not location specific, but there is a need to integrate the control of snails to reduce the prevalence of S. haematobium in Afikpo North L.G.A. Ebonyi State.

Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school pupils in Wamakko Local Government, Sokoto State, Nigeria

“…However, other authors such as Badmos and Komolafe (2007) in Ibadan, Oyo State; Sarkinfada, Azeez-Akande, Isa, and Zubairu (2009) in Kano State; Joseph, Gaji, Muhammad, Baba, and Thilza (2010) in Maiduguri, The lack of significant association of S. haematobium infection with age is an indication that regardless of age, all pupils are equally exposed to cercaria-contaminated water bodies. This agrees with the findings of Joseph et al (2010) in Maiduguri, Borno State; Dawet et al (2012) in Jos North, Plateau State; Kabiru et al (2013) in Wamakko, Sokoto State; Damen et al (2018) in North Central;and Nwachukwu et al (2018) in Ebonyi State where they reported no significant association in the occurrence of S. haematobium infection with age. However, Dawaki et al (2016) in Kano and Hassan et al (2017) in Kebbi State reported a significant association of S. haematobium infection with age.…”

“…This agrees with the findings of Dawaki et al (2016) in Kano. However, Dawet et al (2012) in Jos North, Plateau State, andNwachukwu et al (2018) reported a significant association of S. haematobium infection with a source of drinking water, as a subject who obtain their water from stream was significantly more infected than those who use well.…”

Prevalence of Urinary Schistosomiasis among Clients Attending Private Medical Laboratory Diagnostic Center in Karshi, Abuja, Nigeria

“…In relation to age, high prevalence of (3.3%) was recorded among age group of 21-30years while those between 41-50years had the least prevalence rate of (1.0%).This findings disagreed with the report of Kande et al,(2017) who reported ages 13-15years in Ogun State Southwestern Nigeria, Kabiru et al, (2013) who reported between the age of 11 and 20years.Although no statistical significant differences was observed between the different age groups (p>0.05).The lack of significant association of S. haematobium infection with age is an indication that regardless of age, all client are equally exposed to cercaria contaminated water bodies (Mohammed et al,2019).This agreed with the finding of Joseph et al,(2010) in Maiduguri, Borno State, Dawet et al,(2012) in Jos North, Plateau State, Damen et al,(2018) in North central and Nwachukwu et al, (2018) in Ebonyi State were they reported no significant association in the occurrence of S.haematobium infection with age.…”

Prevalence, intensity, and risk factors of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school children in Silame, Sokoto Nigeria

“…However, the age difference in frequency was not significant. Chu et al [4] and Nwachukwu et al [32] reported the contrary at different locations. The high prevalence of schistosomiasis among younger children might be due to their unrestrained exposure to schistosome-infested water [33].…”