Current status of malaria and urban schistosomiasis infections in the Mammy Market Free Zone of the 34 Field Artillery Brigade in Obinze, Owerri

Abstract

The current statuses of malaria and urban schistosomiasis were assessed amongst the Hausa and Fulani settlers at the 34 Field Artillery Brigade Mammy Market free zone in Obinze, Owerri.Atotal of 150 stool and urine samples were collected randomly from each of the study groups and analysed using standard parasitological procedures. Results obtained from the study showed a prevalence of 90.4% and 71.1% malaria infection amongst the Hausa and Fulani respectively.Within the infected individuals; overall sex-related intensity varied; 40.1%, (+); 42.4%, (++); 15.9% (+++) and 34.9% (+); 50% (++); 15.1 (+++) amongst the Hausa and Fulani settlers respectively and was significantly different (p<0.05). Age-related intensity within the infected was relatively high across the age groups;1-10 (94.7%);11-20 (91.6%); 21-30 (91.7%); 31-40 (85.2%); >41 (84%) and 1-10 (62.9%);11-20 (68.8%);21-30 (83.3%);31-40 (78.6%); >41 (59%) in the Hausa and Fulani settlers respectively (p<0.05). However, the prevalence of 22.7% and 71.1% were recorded amongst the Hausa and Fulani groups respectively for urban schistosomiasis. Sex-related overall intensity within the infected individuals showed great variability; 37.5% (<50eggs/1 m/urine); 34.3% (>50<100 eggs/1ml urine); 25% (>100 eggs/1 ml urine) and 28.7% (<50eggs/1 ml urine); 30.8% (>50<100 eggs/1ml urine); 42.1% (>100eggs/1ml urine) in the Hausa and Fulani settlers respectively (p< 0.05). Age-related prevalence varied within the age groups; 1-10 (17.4%); 11-20 (42.1%); 21-30 (29%); 31-40 (14.2%); 40> (9.7%) and 1-10 (75.9%); 11-20 (76.3%); 21-30 (78.9%); 31-40 (57%); 40> (58.8%) in the Hausa and Fulani groups respectively. No intermediate snail hosts were
discovered in the available water sources. However, the high prevalence of the schistosomiasis amongst the Fulani could be due to imported urban schistosomiasis considering their migratory nature.