Assessment of Plasmodium and Schistosoma infection among primary and secondary school children (6-21 years) in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine the intensity of Plasmodium and Schistosoma infection among school-aged children in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Blood, urine and stool samples were collected from 340 school-aged in Makurdi Benue State, Nigeria. The samples were examined for Plasmodium and Schistosoma species. The primary school with high intensity of P. falciparum is C.A.C 21.1, while Al-Ihsan had the lowest intensity of 11.75. The school with high intensity of S. haematobium is Al-Ihsan with 19.00, while Holy Ghost has the lowest intensity of 9.71. The school with high intensity of S. mansoni is L.G.E.A 26.00, while Holy Ghost had the lowest intensity of 12.60. The secondary school with high intensity of P. falciparum is Al-Irshad with 22.36, while Salam Academy had the lowest intensity with 8.17. The school with high intensity of S. mansoni is Salim Progress with 22.00 while Al-Irshad Makurdi had the lowest intensity with 9.00. Based on the findings from the study, it is imperative that: the infected participants be treated with anti-malarial drugs for malaria and praziquantel for Schistosomiasis and monitored continuously via followed up treatment by health authorities to prevent re-infection. Public health awareness and routine investigation should be done often. It is therefore recommended that public health awareness and routine investigation should be intensified within the study population.