Schistosomiasis Infection In Primary Schools In Agulu Town Of Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Investigation was made to reveal the state and level of Schistosomiasis haematobuim infection in the whole of Agulu town in Anaocha local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria where a lake (Agulu lake) is implicated in the transmission of the disease. Urine sample was collected from 3029 children for Schistosoma egg identification. Thiswas used to calculate the level of infection in the different schools Schistosomiasis prevalence was highest (55.2%) in Umuowelle primary school and lowest (4.1%) in Obeagu primary school. Males had higher infection rate than females in the endemic schools. In Umuowelle, Community and Nneogidi primary schools, infection rates in males were 36.4%, 13.3%, 11.3% respectively while infection rates in females were 25.2%, 11.7% and 6.8% respectively. However, the sex differences were not statistically significant at 5% confidence level (t-test = 2.179, df = 12). Infection levels investigated in all the schools revealed that the age group 10-14 years recorded the highest level while 0- 4 years had the lowest. There was also shifts in peaks of infection within the various age groups, for instance, in the 10 - 14 years age group of Ifiteani primary school, infection peak was in 14 years while in Nneogidi primary school it was in 13 yearold pupils.

Keywords: Agulu town, Agulu lake, Schistosomiasis, Sex, Age groups

Animal Research International Vol. 1 (3) 2004 pp. 203-207