Infection Status and Risk Factors Associated with Schistosomiasis among Pregnant Women in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is one of the most predominant neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) caused by systemic helminthes, Schistosoma sp. S. haematobium and S. mansoni are the main species that causes infection in the Sub-Saharan Africa causing urogenital schistosomiasis and intestinal schistosomiasis respectively. Schistosoma infection during pregnancy has been linked with low birth weight, still birth, maternal mortality and other adverse effects. The study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with urinary schistosomiasis among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Plateau Specialist Hospital in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State. This study was carried out with a total of 200 samples collected from pregnant women who consented to participate in the study. The urine samples were collected from the consenting pregnant women and screened using POC-CCA urine cassette. Information on socio-demographic and risk factors were collected via structured questionnaire and analysed statistically. Out of the 200 women tested for Schistosoma circulating cathodic antigen, 138 were positive representing 69% (138/200) prevalence of schistosomiasis. None of the demographics nor the risk factors studied in the current research was found to be statistically associated (χ2 > 0.05) with schistosomiasis. Schistosoma infection is prevalent in Jos with 69.0% prevalence among women attending antenatal clinic in Plateau State Specialist Hospital with younger pregnant women (≤ 25 years) having a preponderance of the disease burden than the older women. Routine screening for schistosomiasis for all women attending antenatal care and appropriate treatment should be given. Education and awareness on the mode of transmission and detrimental effect of schistosomiasis is recommended.