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. 2024 Dec;24(4):65-76.
doi: 10.4314/ahs.v24i4.9.

The burden of schistosomiasis among school-aged children in Ogoja, Nigeria: current level of infection years after mass drug administration with Praziquantel

Edema E Imalele  1 , Ekanem I Braide  1 , Ubleni E Emanghe  2 , Chinyere Osondu-Anyanwu  3
Affiliations

The burden of schistosomiasis among school-aged children in Ogoja, Nigeria: current level of infection years after mass drug administration with Praziquantel

Edema E Imalele et al. Afr Health Sci. 2024 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Despite various chemotherapy efforts and national-level regulations implemented by the Nigerian government and health sector stakeholders, Schistosoma infections persist as a public health issue.

Objective: This study assessed schistosomiasis prevalence among school-aged children in Ogoja Local Government Area, Cross River State, and identified risk factors for the disease.

Methods: Urine and faecal samples were examined using microscopy involving centrifugation and Kato-Katz techniques respectively.

Results: The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 9.7% (49/504). The prevalence of schistosomiasis was 10.8% and 8.7% among females and males, respectively. Schistosoma haematobium infection was higher in the 14-16 year age group (12.7%). Overall mean parasite load for urogenital schistosomiasis was 6.40 eggs/10 mL of urine and 36.00 eggs per gram (EPG) for intestinal schistosomiasis. Infection with schistosomiasis was higher among those who had not heard about schistosomiasis (17.8%) (p=0.000) and who did not know the cause of the infection (12.4%) (p=0.002). Swimming/bathing in open water (OR = 1.199), fetching water from streams/rivers (OR = 1.202), parents/guardians who had no formal education (OR = 2.722) and unemployment (OR = 2.904) were risk factors significantly associated with schistosomiasis (p P<0.05).

Conclusion: Although intensities of infections were generally low, prompt integrated control efforts are still required to lower helminth infection in the study area.

Keywords: School attendance; intestinal schistosomiasis; schistosomiasis; school-age children; urogenital schistosomiasis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicting interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Map of Ogoja Local Government Area showing the different sampling points
Figure 2
Figure 2
Prevalence of schistosomiasis by gender and age group among school-age children in Ogoja Local Government Area
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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