Prevalence of Urinary Schistosomiasis among primary school children in three rural communities of Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out among pupils of three primary schools in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State, Nigeria between May and July, 2018. Three hundred and twenty (320) pupils were examined for the presence of schistosome eggs in urine. Out of the 320 pupils examined only 34 (10.6%) were found to be infected with S haematobium. Males have higher prevalence of 26 (12.1%) compared to females 8(7.6%). The age group 8-10 years has the highest infection rate 13 (15.85%) while the age group 5-7 the least with 1(4.6%). Although sample sizes were not equal, among the communities Fallau with 65 has the highest infection rate with a prevalence of 11(16.9%), Gano with 135 has 14 (10.4%) followed by Danbagina, 120 with a prevalence of 9(7.5%). All infections were light (<50eggs/10ml of urine).There was a significant difference in infection among the different villages examined χ2= 8.94, df = 2, p<0.05.Statistically there was also a significant difference in infection among the different age groups χ2= 2.9356, df = 3, p<0.05. It was concluded that S. haematobium is present in these study areas and unless health education on the mode of transmission of the disease, provision of safe and adequate water supply and sanitation which will help in curtailing the infection is provided, there is the likelihood of a rise in infection rate. This is the first time this type of study was carried out in these study areas.