Prevalence and Intensity of Urinary Schistosoma Haematobium Eggs Among the School Aged Children in Kona Ward, Ardo Kola Lga, Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted to examine the prevalence and intensity of urinary Schistosomiasis haematobium in two Kona ward settlement of Ardo kola local government, area of Taraba State, Nigeria. The study employed urine filtration technique using polycarbonate membrane filters to detect Schistosoma haematobium eggs in urine. Standard culture techniques to isolate urinary tract pathogens with their susceptibility patterns were carried out. Questionnaires were administered to collect information on socio-demographic data on the children. A total of 1153 urine samples were collected and analysed for the eggs of Schistosoma haematobium, Out of 675 children infected with urinary schistosomiasis, the highest occurrence of bacteriuria (61.3%) was recorded in the heavy intensity (>50 eggs/10ml urine) while low intensity (1 – 50 eggs/10ml urine) recorded the lowest occurrence of bacteriuria (59.2%). Chi square analysis showed significant association between intensity and bacteriuria (χ2 = 309.5, p = 0.000). Spearman’s correlation coefficient for bacteriuria also showed significant relationship between urinary schistosomiasis and bacteriuria (r = 0.518, p<0.001). The percentage occurrence of E. coli in heavy ova intensity (>50 eggs/10ml urine) is slightly higher (56.9%) than in light intensity (55.0%). Occurrence of Klebsiella spp in heavy intensity is slightly above (24.9%) that of light intensity (24.4%). P aeroginosa and Proteus spp occur more in light intensity (24.9%) and (28.9%) respectively than in heavy intensity (14.2%) and (14.6%) respectively. Occurrence of S. aureus is significantly higher in heavy intensity (4.2%) than in light intensity (1.7%). In subjects negative for urinary schistosomiasis, occurrence of bacteria isolates follows similar pattern with Klebsiella spp occurring more (3.3%) than the other isolates. These findings indicate that the areas is endemic to urinary schistosomiasis and therefore prompt intervention in the study areas is needed. Keywords: prevalence, intensity, Schistosoma haematobium, school aged children, kona ward, Ardo kola, Taraba State, Nigeria