Abstract
BackgroundSchistosomiasis is a disease of public health importance with long term complications mostly common among children, rural dwellers, poor and migrant workers. Studies have not documented the burden among migrant workers and their families. The study aimed to describe the burden of schistosomiasis and demographic characteristics among children of migrant workers residing in a rehabilitation home in Ibadan, Nigeria.MethodsA cross-sectional study using sixty six children, who were tested following complaints of haematuria by six of them. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on demographic and environmental characteristics of the children and urine microscopy, was conducted. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and correlation. Statistical significance was set at 5%.ResultsMean age of respondents was 11.8 ± 4.0 years and 57.6% were males. The prevalence of schistosomiasis was 19.7% with preponderance among males (64.3%) and children aged 12 years and above (71.4%); 85.7% of infected children were from Kwara State; 78.6% waded in water body and 92.9% had red blood cells and pus cells on urine microscopy.ConclusionsThe burden of schistosomiasis is high among children of migrant workers and they serve as reservoirs for transmission of the disease. Government needs to work synergistically with NGOs, FBOs and other partners to achieve schistosomiasis prevention and control among this particular group.
Highlights
Schistosomiasis is a disease of public health importance with long term complications mostly common among children, rural dwellers, poor and migrant workers
Nigeria has the highest burden of schistosomiasis in the world
Reasons for the significant burden of the disease includes: poverty, poor environmental sanitation and water supply and poor access to health care facilities. These communities are hard to reach and underserved by policies and programs aimed at controlling schistosomiasis and other Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) [9]
Summary
Oyo State is one of the 36 states in Nigeria. It is bounded in the south by Ogun State and in the North by Kwara State, in the west it is bounded partly by Ogun State. This study was conducted in a rehabilitation center for orphans and vulnerable children coordinated by Living Word Mission (aka La Vie Mot) in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Living Word Mission (LIWOM) is a nonprofit, Faith Based Organization (FBO) working in rural and urban areas of four states including Oyo State of the South Western part of Nigeria. For Urine microscopy, pus cells and Red Blood Cells (RBC) < 5 cells/hpf were considered normal; Pus cells, RBC cells, epithelial cells, bacteria, crystals and yeast in the urine samples were reported as frequencies. The cases were reported to the Medical Officer of Health for Ibadan South West Local Government Area, where the home was located and drugs were provided for the treatment of infected children in accordance with national guidelines for reporting and treatment of NTDs
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