Schistosomiasis in Ndinjor district of Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey of human schistosomiasis was conducted among the residents of Ndinjor District of Langtang North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. A total of 1,070 samples from 535 people (each donating stool and urine samples) were examined using the Standard WHO [20] of Kato-Kato syringe filtration for stool and urine samples respectively. The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 295(55.7%).Schistosoma haematobium was more prevalent with 221(41.3%) than Schistosoma mansoni with 77(14.4%) P<0.05. Prevalence rate varied significantly (P<0.05) between sexes. Males had higher prevalence of 180 (67.2%) than the females, 118(44.2%). Infection according to age group showed that age groups 10 – 19years and 20 – 29years had higher infection rates of 150(66.7%) and 86(68.6%) respectively. In terms of occupation (P>0.05), fishermen had the highest prevalence of 9(75.0%) followed by students, 218(61.1%) while farmers had 70(44.3%). Prevalence rate in relation to water source did not vary significantly (P>0.05). Those that had their water from the stream recorded the highest prevalence of 222 (58.0%) followed by river 48(54.6%) with the least infection recorded among those that used wells 28(43.7%).This study indicated a stable or moderate/mesoendemicity and requires control measures to be put in place.

Keywords: Schistosomiasis, Ndinjor, Plateau, Nigeria

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 32 [2] September 2011, pp. 209-213