Studies of Urinary Schistosomiasis amongst School Age Children in Ebonyi North Senatorial District of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among school age children in seven primary schools in Ebonyi North Senatorial district of Ebonyi State was investigated using standard parasitological technique. Out of 525 pupils examined, 119(22.7%) were found to be excreting ova of S. haematobium in their urine, which comprised 44 females (17.5%) and 75 males (27.5%). Children between the age of 15 -16 years recorded the highest prevalence of 35.9%. Chi square test showed that the differences among the age groups are not statistically significant. The distribution of the infection was significantly high in Hill Top Primary School Amoffia Ngbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area with the prevalence of 55.3% when compared to other locations assayed. Children whose parents were farmers recorded the highest prevalence (26.4%) when compared to those of other occupations (p<0.05). In the same vein, children that make use of quarry pit water as their main source of water supply recorded more infection than those that use borehole and pipe-borne water. However, health awareness programmes, provision of portable water, mass chemotherapy as well as environmental measures that may reduce population density of snail intermediate host of S. haematobium will be useful in the control of urinary schistosomiasis in the study area.