Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis amongst primary school pupils in Ado-Ekiti, southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

This investigation was carried out to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in selected primary schools in Ado-Ekiti, between June and August 2010 among pupils that were less than 5 years of age and greater 13 years. Terminal urine samples (last flowing urine of about 30 ml  was collected into well labeled clean universal bottles from 418 subjects from three schools in the study area and used for the study. The microscopic, concentration and serological methods were employed in the analyses of samples. Out of 418 urine samples examined 160 (38.3%) were positive for schistosomiasis, while 258(61. %) were negative. St. Peter Primary School. Ago Aduloju has the highest infection rate (70.6%), followed by LA Primary School Ago Egbira (21.3%), while St. Paul’s Anglican Primary School, Odo Ado had the least (8.1%). The percentage of haematuria decreased significantly with age. Out of 160 infected subjects 99(61.9%) and 17(10.6%) were having haematuria and pains respectively, while 44(27.5%) were carrying the parasite asymptomatically. St. Peter’s Primary School, Ago Aduloju had the highest infection rate of 68 (60.2%) and 45(39.8%) of male and female respectively followed by L.A primary school, Aba Egbira with 16(47.1%) and 18(52.9%) of male and female respectively, while St. Paul’s Anglican primary school Odo-Ado had the least infection rate with 5 (28.5%) and 8(61.5%) for male and female respectively. Regular public health education to discourage the children from swimming in infected stream may not achieve the desired impact because children simply love swimming, especially during hot and dry season of the year.

Keywords: Urinary schistosomiasis, parasitic diseases, primary schools, haematuria