Schistosomiasis Among School-age Children in an Endemic Community of Cross River State, Nigeria: Can Mass Drug Administration Stem Transmission?

Abstract

Urinary schistosomiasis which is endemic in several rural and sub-urban communities in Nigeria affects school-age children. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis among 300 school-age children (5-16 years) in Abini, Biase Local Government Area, Cross River State. Urine samples collected from the subjects were examined by microscopy using the standard filtration technique. The overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among school-age children examined was 40%. Males had higher infection rate (41.8%) than females (37.8%) (p>0.05). Infection rate varied between age-groups, the peak (50%) occurring in children aged 11-13 years. Mean intensities of urinary schistosomiasis infection were light and ranged between 2.63 and 3.75 ova/10mL of urine. The findings reveal a continued infection with Schistosoma haematobium in Abini community, Cross River State.