Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among children from three selected local government areas in Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a socio-economic and public health important human parasitic disease in the tropics. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among children in Ganye, Jada and Mayo Belwa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Adamawa State. Urine samples were collected from 600 children between the ages of 5-16, analyzed using modified concentration sedimentation method and examined using microscopy. Diagnosis was based on the presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in urine samples. The overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was 5.2% (32/600). Ganye LGA had the highest number positive cases with the prevalence of 9.5% (19/200), followed by Mayo Belwa LGA 4.0% (8/200) and the least in Jada LGA 2.5% (5/200). There was statistically significant difference in the prevalence of schistosomiasis among children and the different LGAs (X² = 10.761; p<0.05). Highest prevalence of 8.3% was recorded between age groups of 13-16 years, followed by 4.9% in 5-8 years and least of 4.8% in 9-12 years. There was no statistical significant difference between prevalence of schistosomiasis among the age groups (p>0.05). Male children showed higher prevalence (7.5%) than female children (3.1%) with statistical significant difference (p<0.05). Based on parent education, children whose parents had non-formal education had higher prevalence (7.8%) and the least (0.0%) was recorded in children whose parent had tertiary education. Children whose parents were farmers had higher prevalence (5.8%) and the least prevalence was recorded in the children of civil servants (2.7%). No statistical significant association was found between prevalence of schistosomiasis with parent education and occupation (p>0.05). The present study reveals low prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among children. A further expanded study that may cover the entire state as well as control measures designed to target the parasite and its intermediate host to prevent higher prevalence in future is recommended.