Prevalence and risk factors of Schistosoma haematobium infections among primary school children in Igbokuta Village, Ikorodu North Local Government, Lagos State
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Date
2013-11
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science (IOSR-JNHS)
Abstract
Background: Urinary Schistosomiasis (US) caused by Schistosoma haematobium constitutes a
major public health problem in Nigeria. Efforts in this study were devoted to evaluate the current prevalence
and associated risk factors on the intensity of disease burden.
Methods: A survey was conducted with the use of semi-structured questionnaires to collect sociodemographic
and anthropometric data of the pupils. Urine samples were collected from One hundred and two (102) pupils
for microscopic analysis for the detection of S.haematobium eggs.
Results: Of the 102 children (age ranges between 5-15 years) examined, prevalence of infection was (80/102)
78 % of which (44/102) 43 % were heavy and (36/102) 35 % mild while (22/102) 22 % were negative (p<0.05).
The frequency of infection was higher among the female pupils (62/102) 61 % compared to the male
counterpart (40/102) 39 % (p<0.05). Striking risk factors that could predispose the pupils to S.haematobium
infection follows the order: swimming / drinking contaminated water> washing of clothes in streams > playing /
bathing in rivers> unknown > mosquito bites > fresh water snail. No significant difference exists between the
risk factors (p>0.05). The mean age, weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference of the negative
individuals (both males and females) were significantly higher than that of their positive counterpart (p<0.05).
There was no significant difference in the mean age, height and waist circumference of the heavy and mild
infected females compared to their male counterpart (p>0.05). Similarly, there was no significant difference in
the mean hip circumference of the heavy and mild infected male and female (p>0.05). Correlation analysis
showed that there is significant correlation between infection status and age (r= 0.385, p>0.01), weight (r =
0.404, p>0.01), height (r=0.401, p>0.01), waist (r=0.396, p>0.01), hip circumference (r=0.415, p>0.01) and
risk factor (r=-0.231, p>0.05). Risk factor is not significant to age, weight, height, waist, hip circumference and
infection status (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Prevalence rate obtained in the study was high, an indication that the region is endemic by WHO
classification. This calls for an urgent effective urinary schistosomiasis control programme in the zone.