Urinary Schistosomiasis Among School-age Children in Selected Local Government Areas in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is the most common parasitic disease in the world caused by digenetic blood trematode worms of the family Schistosomatidae. It is one of the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases and the second most important human parasitic disease in the world, after malaria. Over 700 million people worldwide are at risk of infection, most of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa. While, children are especially vulnerable to the disease, Ogun State was rated as the most endemic state for schistosomiasis infection in Nigeria. Therefore, the epidemiology of Urinary Schistosomiasis among School-age children in Ogun State was conducted in this study. Midday urine samples were collected from 1,812 school-age children from ten selected Local Government Areas in Ogun State and were examined for the presence of haematuria (blood in urine) and Schistosoma haematobium ova. Out of the 1812 school-children examined, 92 (5.1%) tested positive for haematuria and 455 (25.1%) also tested positive for the presence of Schistosome ova. The highest infection prevalence rate (12.9%) was among female students infected with the parasite. The age group 10-12years had the highest rate of infection (12.2%), while the group 4-6 years had the lowest (1.3%) in the study areas. Therefore, urinary schistosomiasis is a major disease of major public health concern in Ogun State that requires prompt attention from relevant government and non-governmental agencies.