Prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis among school age children in Ikota, Southwestern Nigeria

Schistosomiasis is a water-borne parasitic disease second to malaria in terms of socio-economic importance. Epidemiological data upon which management control could be based is lacking in Ikota, Ondo State, Nigeria. The present study evaluated the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis among School age children in Ikota, Ifedore Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State, Nigeria. Urine samples were first examined macroscopically for haematuria while reagent strip was used to detect proteinuria after which sedimentation method was used to analyse the samples for characteristic features of the Schistosoma haematobium. Data obtained from the study were analyzed using Pearson's Chi Square Test. A total of 150 subjects were examined, out of which 76 (50.7%) were male and 74 (49.3%) were female. Results obtained from this study revealed a total prevalence of 24% with mean intensity of 21.82 egg/10 mL of urine. The percentage distribution of the infection among the sexes showed that the male students had a lower prevalence of 21.1% of infection than their female counterparts who had 27.0% prevalence with no significant difference (P > 0.05). It was also observed that age group 5-9 had the highest prevalence and mean intensity of 100% and 13.50 egg/10 mL of infection with no significant difference (P > 0.05). In the same vein, sources of water vary significantly among the subjects (p < 0.05). Those who depended on river water (75.0%) had the highest level of infection. Therefore, it is evident that S. haematobium infection is prevalent among the study subjects and appropriate management control strategies should be deployed to the study area.