Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among school children in Ukwelo-Obudu and Abini communities in Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma haematobium infection were studied in Ukwelo-Obudu, and Abini communities of Cross River State, Nigeria. 

Aim: To screen for the presence of ova of S. haematobium in the urine of school children in the two communities.

Method: Six hundred urine specimens (400 in Abini and 200 in Ukwelo-Obudu community) were collected by random sampling from school children aged 5-17 years from the two communities and screened for ova of Schistosoma haematobium by filtration of urine and counting of filtered carbol fuchsin-stained eggs of Schistosoma haematobium. Retrospective study of Schistosoma haematobium infection was also carried out in Ukwelo-Obudu community.

Results: Infection with S. haematobium was not found in Ukwelo-Obudu whereas in Abini community, a prevalence of 4.5% was found. The highest prevalence of infection (7.7%) occurred in the age group of 11-13 years. There was a strong positive correlation between the presence of infection (ova of S. haematobium) and existence of haematuria (r = 0.81) and proteinuria (r = 0.71) in Abini community. There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of proteinuria between male and female subjects examined (P=0.0008). A retrospective study of Schistosoma haematobium infection in Ukwelo-Obudu community showed 2006 as the year with the highest record of infection [11(35.5%)] whereas the year 2004 recorded the lowest number of infection.

Conclusion: This study has revealed a low prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection in Abini and the absence of infection in Ukwelo-Obudu communities respectively.

Key words: Prevalence, Schistosoma haematobium, Abini, Ukwelo-obudu, School children