Urinary Schistosomiasis in Communities around Kiri Lake, Shelleng Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria

The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in the different communities, the intensity of infection, prevalence among gender and age groups and to relate infection with parent’s occupation. A study on the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was conducted in four villages around Kiri Lake in Shelleng Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Two hundred and thirty two urine samples were collected from four primary school children randomly selected from within the four study communities. Overall, prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was 48% (111/232), with males recording 49% (69/142) and females 47% (42/90). The total mean egg count (MEC) was 8.3. There was no significant difference in prevalence between males and females (P˃0.05). Prevalence was higher among age groups, with the 13-15 year old age group having the highest 62.96% (17/27) and the 4-6 year old age group had the least 37% (19/52). There was no statiscally significant difference in prevalence among the different age groups (P>0.05). Infection was also high among children of fishermen 59.09% (13/22), followed by farmers’ children 56.25% (45/80) and the least prevalence was among children of teachers 20% (3/15). Old Banjiram had the highest infection of 91% (21/23), while Kwadadai had the least 36.8% (21/57) (P<0.05). Old Banjiram and children in the 10-12 years age group had the highest mean egg count of 10.6 and 9.4 respectively. The study reveals a high prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis. And therefore portable water source should be made functional in all communities surrounding the lake. While rehabilitation and repair of the existing water borehole system in the community should be effected as well as drilling new additional boreholes to serve their water needs. Commun JASEMity participatory health education on this neglected tropical disease in the area is needed on knowledge of the disease, the intermediate host and transmission pattern. Since school children harbour infection and are a source of infection of schistosomiasis in endemic communities, planning and provision for their treatment should be considered in control programmes.

Keywords
Schistosoma haematobium; Prevalence; Kiri lake; Socio-economic; School children; Nigeria