Human Behavioural Risk Factors of Urinary Schistosomiasis in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Urinary schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent waterborne diseases and water contact behaviours have led to alarming rates of prevalence in endemic communities. Previous studies of schistosomiasis focused on discriminating the schistosomiasis infected and non-infected persons using parasitological approach. However, studies that examine the effects of human behavioural risk factors on prevalence have not been adequately carried out. This study examined the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and human behavioural risk facotors of the disease in order to understand the epidemiological situation in Cross River State. Seven endemic communities were purposively selected for the study. A set of 800 copies of the questionnaire designed for the study were distributed to respondents in endemic communities. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the most important behavioural risk factors that influenced prevalence of schistosomiasis among endemic communities at P 0.05. The prevalence of Urinary schistosomiasis in endemic communities was 74.7%. However, the prevalence of shistosomiasis varies widely among the endemic communities. A large proportion of  81.0per cent cases were reported in Okwel-Obudu. Utukwang I had a percentage prevalence of 78.0. Assiga and Utukwang 11 reported 76.5per cent and 75.0per cent prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis respectively. Prevalence of schistosomiasis was 74.5per cent in Adim and Abini recorded 71.0per cent infections. Ijiman had a prevalence of 67.0 per cent cases of urinary schistosomiasis. Farming in swampy areas exerted the most influence on prevalence of schistosomiasis in endemic communities (Odd ratio: 1.58, p<0.05). Therefore, farming in swampy areas serves to highlight the behavioural factor of Human Ecology of Disease responsible for the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in endemic communities. Socio-economic empowerment and health education are needed to reduce the prevalence of the disease.

Keywords: Schistosomiasis, Prevalence, Perception, Endemic communities