Current Status of Schistosomiasis amongst School Children in Igedeland, Benue State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The current status of S. haematobium and S. mansoni infections among school-aged children in Oju and Obi LGAs of Benue State was investigated between July to October 2012. 786 urine and stool samples were examined using the sedimentation technique. In Oju the prevalence of S. haematobium and S. mansoni was 77 (19.3%) and 23 (5.8%) respectively. Males had a 2 prevalence of 54(20.8%) which was significantly higher than females 23(16.4%). (÷ =7.81, df = 3, P < 0.05). The prevalence rate for S. mansoni infection of males in Oju was 18 (7.0%) and females 5 (3.69%). Age group 11-15years had the highest infection rate of (18.8%) for S. haematobium and 15.2% for S. mansoni. The prevalence rates varied with age reaching the peak among age group 5-10 years (21.4%) for S. haematobium and 7.6% for S. mansoni infection. The overall indices of infection were generally highest in the 11-15years age group. Children between 5-10years contributed 93.7% of the daily egg output. Our findings justify the urgent need to develop an integrated community-based intervention that addresses the water andsanitation needs of the communities.