PREVALENCE OF URINARY SCHISTOSOMIASIS IN MALE STUDENTS OF SA’ADU ZUNGUR UNIVERSITY, BAUCHI STATE

ABSTRACT Urinary schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma haematobium, remains a significant public health problem in endemic regions, particularly among young populations with frequent exposure to contaminated water bodies. This study assessed the prevalence and associated risk factors of urinary schistosomiasis among male students of Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi State, Nigeria. A total of 331 urine samples were examined through standard parasitological methods, and relevant demographic and risk-related data were obtained using structured questionnaires. The overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was 14.8%, with the highest prevalence recorded among students aged 16–20 years (10.6%), followed by those aged 21–25 years (3.6%), while the lowest prevalence occurred in the 26–30 age group (0.6%). Distribution by level of study revealed that 100-level students had the highest prevalence (5.4%), with a progressive decline observed in higher levels, where 400-level students recorded the lowest (1.8%). Analysis of risk factors showed that students with no prior knowledge of schistosomiasis had significantly higher prevalence (22.1%) compared to those with some awareness (10.0%). Similarly, students who reported exposure to rivers and ponds had higher prevalence (20.0%) than those without such exposure (10.5%). Furthermore, a history of haematuria was strongly associated with infection, with 31.3% prevalence compared to 9.6% among those without such symptoms. These findings indicate that urinary schistosomiasis is still a considerable health challenge among male university students, particularly among younger and newly admitted individuals. The study emphasizes the urgent need for targeted health education, provision of safe water, periodic screening, and preventive chemotherapy to reduce the disease burden and prevent long-term complications.