Original Research Article
Current Prevalence Status of Urinary Schistosomiasis among Children in Lokpanta Community, Abia State, Nigeria
Kalu, Kalu Mong1, Samuel, Chikodi1, Ihemanma, Chioma Ada2
1Animal and Environmental Biology Department, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria.
2Department of Biology/Microbiology, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author: Kalu, Kalu Mong
ABSTRACT
Schistosoma haematobium infections continue to be a significant public health problem in much of Africa. A survey was carried out to determine the current prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school age children resident in Lokpanta, an area with long history of sustained quarry mining and prevalence of schistosomiasis. The study involved 265 children whose ages ranged from 5 to 15 years (129 females and 136 males) randomly selected from various homes in Lokpanta community of Umuchieze, Abia State of Nigeria. Urine specimens collected from subjects were analysed for presence of eggs of S. haematobiumusing sedimentation technique. Of the 265 children whose urine specimens were examined, 38 (14.34%) suffered from urinary schistosomiasis. The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was found to be higher in males 25 (18.38%) than in females 13(10.08%). However, this difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was higher among children aged11 to 15 years old 30(22.22%) than their counterparts in age groups 5 to 10 years 8(6.15%). There was significant difference (P<0.05) between urinary schistosomiasis and age of the subjects. Prevalence among children whose mothers were farmers 21(19.27%), traders 12(12.63%), entrepreneurs 3(8.82%) and civil servants2(7.41%) did not differ significantly (P>0.05). Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis is this study was independent of the occupational status of the children’s mother. This study has shown that there is a drop in prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school age children in Lokanta community of Umuchieze clan, Abia State. Provision of clean portable water, which could reduce or stop unnecessary human contact with cercarial infested water, could as well further reduce or completely eradicate the prevalence of the disease in the study area.
Key words: Urinary schistosomiasis, Water contact, Urine, Prevalence, Children.