Urinary Schistosomiasis Prevalence and Diagnostic Performance of Reagent Strip at Point-of-Care

Abstract

Due to limited resources and experience, rapid diagnostic techniques are advocated in nations with a resource shortage when diagnosing schistosomiasis. We used rapid diagnostic tests to access the prevalence and intensity of schistosome infection in North Central, Nigeria. A total of 1951 participants were recruited for this study. The participants were screened for S. haematobium infection; haematuria and proteinuria were monitored in the recruited patients with a commercial reagent strip. Of the 1951 participants recruited for the study, 587 were found to be infected. Children aged 0 to 10 years showed the highest levels of haematuria with (100%) specificity. Meanwhile, other age groups (11 - 20, 21 - 30, 31 - 40 and above 40 years) had rates higher than 90%. The degree of haematuria increased with egg intensity. The same was seen in proteinuria, with a percentage of 41.9%. A significant difference (p S. haematobium in rural endemic areas.