Endemicity of urinary schistosomiasis in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The investigation on the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis was carried out amongst inhabitants of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Of the 1,080 individuals examined from five randomly selected communities in the area, 41 (3.8%) were excreting Schistosoma haematubium ova in their urine. The severity of infection calculated by mean egg counts per 10 ml of urine varied significantly between the age groups (p<0.05). The prevalence and intensity of infection increased with age from 0-20 years and thereafter decreased. Among the infected population, 17 (41.5%) were excreting < 50 eggs/10 ml urine, 16 (39.0%) excreting > 50 < 100 eggs/10 ml urine while 8 (19.5%) were excreting >100 eggs/10 ml urine. The prevalence of haematuria in infection also increased with age from 0-20 years and decreased thereafter. The factors contributing to these observations and feasible control measures are discussed.