Schistosoma haematobium infection among schoolchildren in the Babana district, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study was carried out in the Babana District of Borgu Local Government Areas in Kwara State, Nigeria, to determine the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis among schoolchildren. Of 425 pupils found and examined in nine communities, 193 (45.4%) were infected. Infection rates for boys and girls (44.7% and 47.9%, respectively) were not significantly different (P greater than 0.5). Children between 11 years and 13 years of age had the highest prevalence (59.2%), while those between 5 years and 7 years had the lowest (33.6%). However, the proportion (25.9%) of children excreting at least 1000 eggs/10-ml urine sample during their first decade of life was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than for pupils who were older. There was a positive relationship between schistosomal infection and the prevalence of haematuria and proteinuria. Thus, the prevalences of haematuria and proteinuria were significantly higher among the infected than among the non-infected pupils (P less than 0.01). All the pupils with heavy haematuria (n = 45) and those with heavy proteinuria (n = 14) had at least 150 eggs/10-ml urine sample and 1000 eggs/10-ml urine sample, respectively.