Journal of Preventive Medicine & Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Background: Schistosomiasis is a water-borne tropical parasitic disease that is of a major public health prob lem. It is a neglected tropical disease that is still endemic in Nigeria and other West African countries. The complications associated with the infection on children is enormous. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school children in Ndokwa-East Local Government Area of Delta State.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study of primary school children aged 5-15 years in Ndokwa-East Local Government Area (NELGA) of Delta State. Urine microscopy (centrifugation method) was done for the pupils and the schistosoma eggs were counted and graded according to WHO standards. Relationship between the intensity of schistosomiasis infection and the infection prevalence were tested using chi-square analysis and Fisher’s exact test where indicated.

Results: A total of 374 pupils were studied. Twenty-eight (7.5%) of them had urinary schistosomiasis; The mean egg count was 35.29 eggs per 10ml of urine (range of 5-120 eggs per 10 ml of urine) and 18 out of the 28 infected pupils (64.3%), had mild infection. Gender, age, distance of the school/home from water body, level of interaction of the pupils with water bodies, occupation of the caregivers/parents, and education level of the caregivers/parents, did not significantly influence the intensity of the infection.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the intensity of urinary schistosomiasis infection among primary school pupils in NELGA was not affected by socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects and their water contact activities.