Morbidity indicators of urogenital schistosomosis and risk factors in school children in three Senatorial Districts of Cross River State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The morbidity indicators and risk factors of urinary schistosomosis in school-age children were ascertained in three Senatorial Districts of Cross River State (CRS). A cross-sectional study conducted between April 2015 and March 2016. Seven hundred and seventy-seven (777) urine samples were randomly collected from selected children and examined for ova of Schistosoma haematobium, using a modified filtration system. Commercial reagent strips were employed for the detection of haematuria and proteinuria. Chi-square test was used to determine the statistical differences between the data in subgroups and the results from specimen examinations. S. haematobium ova was observed in 13 (1.7%) of the 777 participants examined. Ninety (11.6%) children showed haematuria, and 137 (17.6%) showed proteinuria. Infection varied significantly across the age-groups (P<0.05). Males 11 (2.4%) were more infected than females 2 (0.6%) (P<0.05). The age group 9-12 years accounted for the highest mean ova count (7.33±2.1) in urine samples analysed. Female participants had a higher mean ova count (7.50±0.71) than male participants (6.18±1.66). Age, gender and the habit of fetching water from streams were significant risk factors for urinary schistosomiasis. It is evident from this study that S. haematobium infection is still endemic in the three Senatorial Districts of CRS, despite periodic chemotherapy.