PREVALENCE, INTENSITY AND ASSOCIATED RISK OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES IN OSUN STATE.
Abstract
Background:Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) and remains a major public health problem among school-aged pupils in tropical countries. This study assessed the current status of schistosomiasis among school children in some Nigerian communities.
Methods: A total of 507 students aged 5–18 years from four communities in Osun State were surveyed between May and November, 2024. Urine and stool samples were obtained from the children for the detection of urinary schistosomiasis and intestinal schistosomiasis. Venous blood samples were also collected for the determination of haemoglobin and serum ferritin levels in the children. Data on socio-demographic and risk factors was obtained using structured questionnaires. The syringe filtration technique was used for the detection of Schistosomahaematobium eggs while the Kato Katz thick smear technique was used for the detection of Schistosomamansoni eggs.
Results: Urinary schistosomiasis had an overall prevalence of 18.7% (95/507) while intestinal schistosomiasis had a prevalence of 8.8% (42/477) among the sampled school children. The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and mean egg count (intensity) was higher in males [23.1 % and 15.75 eggs/10 ml of urine)] than females (14.5 % and 4.97 eggs/10 ml of urine) and the results were statistically significant at p=0.013. Age related prevalence showed that the highest prevalence of 37.5 % (15/40) was recorded among children older than 15years and the results were significant (χ2 = 16.984, P = 0.001). Equally the highest prevalence of 24.2% (63/260) was recorded among children whose fathers’ occupation was farming but the results were not significant (χ2 = 9.551; P = 0.089)]. A reduced haemoglobin concentration was significantly associated with both urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis.
Conclusion: The findings of this study provide valuable information on the current status of schistosomiasis in Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria. This data will be useful for the schistosomiasis control efforts of the country, as it will guide mass drug administration campaigns in eligible communities in the study area.
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