Survey of Urinary Schistosomiasis among school-aged children in the rural communities of Mayo-belwa Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Background & objectives: Schistosomiasis is a major health risk in the rural areas of developing countries where it continues to rank high and second behind malaria in terms of socio-economic and public health importance in Tropical and Subtropical areas. To provide information on the incidence of urinary Schistosomiasis among school-aged children of Mayobelwa and create awareness of the disease to the rural populace of Mayobelwa.

Methods: A survey on the incidence of urinary Schistosomiasis was carried out on primary school children between the ages of 5-15 from April to June 2011 in some community schools in Mayobelwa Local Government of Adamawa State North-eastern Nigeria. A total of 346 pupils volunteered and responded to the questionnaire previously developed and these same pupils’ were subject to urine samples.

Results: The microscopic examination of urine sediments revealed overall prevalence of 32.4% (n= 112) for Schistosoma haematobium. The age group most heavily infected was 11-15 years 68 (35.6%) both sexes have close prevalence with males having 72 (32.3%) and females 40 (32.5%). Majority of the subjects (54.6%) rely on the stream water as the only source of water supply and do not visit hospital (88.2%) even when symptom is observed.

Interpretation and conclusion: The findings of this study show that majority are still ignorant of the disease hence the need for more public enlightment and effective community-based treatment programs. The prevalence of 34.2% in Mayobelwa and neighbouring communities is of great public health concern and poses a threat or problem to important socioeconomic activities in the area.

Keywords: Adamawa, Mayobelwa, school-aged, Nigeria, Urinary schistosomiasis.