Epidemiology of Urinary Schistosomiasis Among Secondary School Students in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Schistosoma haematobium infection is one of the parasitic diseases of public health importance affecting 100 million people worldwide; more than 75% live in sub-Sahara Africa. This study sought to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among secondary school students in Lafia and the risk factors associated to it. One hundred and sixty (160) urine samples were obtained from students from both private and public schools in Lafia, Nasarawa State. Urine samples were analyzed in the Laboratory using sedimentation/centrifugation technique. The results indicate that 26(16.3%) of the urine samples collected were positive for S. haematobium eggs. The highest prevalence of 25% was recorded among students from Government Secondary School Shabu. Students between the age group 11- 15 had the highest prevalence of the infection. Infections were found to be high in males 23 (18.70%) than female 3(8.1%) students. Students using stream as their major water source had a high prevalence rate of 22.6%. Among those positive for the infection, 70% had haematuria alone, 14% had proteinuria alone and 50% had a combination of proteinuria and haematuria whereas 8.2% had none. The problems of lack of pure and portable water supply in schools and homes in Lafia makes the Children at high risk of exposure to schistosomiasis and the implications of this disease in the children affects socioeconomic development of the country. Health awareness education and massive chemotherapy as well as environmental measures that may reduce population density of snail; the intermediate host of S. haematobium will be useful in the control of urinary schistosomiasis. Keywords: Schistosomiasis, infection, Secondary School Students, public health and ova.