Title:
THE PREVALENCE OF URINARY SCHISTOSOMIASIS IN SCHOOL CHILDREN FROM GIREI AND SONG LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Authors:
Biman, K. A., Adamu, B. M. and Mohammed, B. D.

Abstract:
This study was an investigation on the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in school children in Girei and Song local government areas of Adamawa state of Nigeria. Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharziasis or “snail fever,” is a waterborne parasitic infectious disease caused by species of trematodes of the genus Schistosoma. The disease is transmitted by aquatic snails of the genera Biomphalaria and Bulinus. The most common symptoms of the disease are blood in urine and/or faces, and an enlarged liver. A total of one hundred and fifty-nine urine samples from four primary schools (forty samples in each school except one with thirty-nine samples) in two local government areas of Adamawa state were collected and examined for the eggs of Schistosoma haematobium. Centrifuge concentration technique was used for the analysis of urine samples. Results of the study showed that out of 159 urine samples examined, 38.34% were found positive. With respect to gender, males were found to have a higher prevalence rate of 22.00% than females who have 16.33%. With respect to age group, the results showed that children whose ages fall between 10-14 years have a higher prevalence rate with 27.02% than those whose ages fall between 5-9 years with 11.32%. Based on these results, recommendations were made for the construction of bridges for crossing the rivers and the need for health education on the vector of the disease.

Keywords:
Unrinary Schistosomiasis, School, Children, Girei

DOI: