Abstract

RE-ASSESSMENT OF THE PREVALENCE OF URINARY SCHISTOSOMIASIS IN AMAGUNZE, NKANU EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE

Nwobodo H. A.*

Abstract

A total of 400 urine samples were collected among primary school pupils in Amagunze in Nkanu-East Local Government Area of Enugu State between April - July, 2010 in order to re-assess the prevalence of urinary schistosomiaisis. The urine samples were examined macroscopically for the presence of blood, tested for micro-haematuria using reagent strips and examined microscopically for the of ova of Schistosoma haematobium. Out of 387 pupils that participated in the study 22 were positive for urinary schistosomiaisis accounting for a prevalence rate of 5.7%. Seventy (4.4%) male children were infected as against 5 (1.3%) females. The prevalence of the infection was 11 (2.8%), 7 (1.8) and 4 (1.0) among children between 11 – 13 years, 8 – 10 years and 5 – 7 years respectively. Similar increasing trend inprevalence was observed among males (1.0%, 1.3%, and 2.1%) and females (0%, 0.5%, and 0.8%) from the lowest to the highest (5 – 7 years, 8 – 10 years, and 11 – 13 years) age group respectively. The result showed that urinary schistosomiaisis is still an issue in the area, however not as huge as was reported in 1989. Health education on mode of transmission of the disease, symptoms and prevention should be intensified, while further research should be conducted to identify water bodies and intermediate snail species supporting infective stage of the parasite for evidence-based control strategy by relevant stakeholders.

Keywords: Prevalence, Urinary Schistosomiasis, Amagunze.