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Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) are neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that cause chronic infections and ill health. The study was carried out to determine the current infection status and risk factors associated with Schistosoma haematobium and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) coinfection among school children in Biase Local Government Area (LGA), Cross River State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was carried out. Urine and fecal samples were randomly collected from 630 school children in six villages of Biase LGA. Urine sedimentation and Kato-Katz techniques were used to diagnose urogenital schistosomiasis and STHs, respectively. A structured questionnaire was used to collect demographic information and risk factors. The prevalence of S. haematobium in Biase LGA was 6.03%, with males (27 pupils, 9.00%) significantly more ( χ 2 = 8.903 , p value = 0.003, C . I . = − 82.650 – 120.650 ) infected than the females (11 pupils, 3.33%), while the prevalence of STH infection was 11.27% with no significant difference ( χ 2 = 0.002 , p value = 0.962, C . I . = − 16.441 – 54.559 ) in prevalence between males (34 pupils, 11.33%) and females (37 pupils, 11.21%). Prevalence of S. haematobium and STHs ranged from 1.82 to 19.13% and from 4.55 to 19.05% within the communities, respectively, with Abini (22 pupils, 19.13%) and Adim (20 pupils, 19.05%) communities having the highest prevalence for S. haematobium and STHs, respectively. The most infected age group was 11–13 years (21 pupils, 9.68%) for S. haematobium and 14–16 years (5 pupils, 21.74%) for STHs. Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworms, and Trichuris trichiura had prevalence of 5.56%, 3.02%, and 2.70%, respectively. An overall prevalence of 7.14% and 8.41% was observed for haematuria and proteinuria, respectively. Prevalence of coinfection among the parasites was 4.76%. Male pupils ( OR = 2.868 , C.I.: 1.397–5.889), pupils of the age group of 11–13 years ( OR = 2.496 , C.I.: 1.287–4.838), school children that swim ( OR = 1.527 , C.I.: 0.784–2.974), those that cross streams to farm ( OR = 25.286 , C.I.: 4.091–156.283), those that visit stream or river severally ( OR = 3.077 , C.I.: 1.204–7.863), and those whose home is 1 km ( OR = 3.116 , C.I.: 1.292–7.518) from the stream are at higher odds of infection with S. haematobium. For STHs, male pupils ( OR = 1.012 , C.I.: 0.617–1.659), pupils of the age group of 11–13 years ( OR = 2.609 , C.I.: 1.582–4.302), pupils that walk barefoot ( OR = 18.746 , C.I.: 6.786–51.783), those that do not wash fruits and vegetables before eating ( OR = 2.334 , C.I.: 1.400–3.892), those that do not wash hands after using the toilet ( OR = 1.200 , C.I.: 0.730–1.973), those that eat soils ( OR = 2.741 , C.I.: 1.533–4.902), those that drink water from streams or rivers ( OR = 189.509 , C.I.: 24.807–1447.740), and those that use pit latrine ( OR = 2.920 , C.I.: 1.746–4.885) and/or open defecation ( OR = 2.552 , C.I.: 1.454–4.479) are at high odds of being infected with STHs. Urogenital schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis are still endemic diseases in Biase LGA. Although the degree of infection is quite low or moderate, there is a need to intensify and sustain control measures such as provision of sustainable clean water supply, health education intervention, and chemotherapy.

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Onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by black flies. Human onchocerciasis is a public health and socioeconomic problem in Nigeria. Its prevalence and morbidity have reduced over the years because of control efforts especially, Mass Drug Administration with ivermectin. The current goal is to eliminate the disease transmission by 2030. Understanding the changes in transmission patterns in Cross River State is critical to elimination of onchocerciasis in Nigeria. This study was designed to determine the transmission dynamics of onchocerciasis in Cross River State after over two decades of mass ivermectin distribution in endemic communities. Agbokim, Aningeje, Ekong Anaku and Orimekpang are four endemic communities from three Local Government Areas of the State selected for this study. Transmission indices such as infectivity rates, biting rates and transmission potentials, parity rates and diurnal biting activities were determined. A total of 15,520 adult female flies were caught on human baits, Agbokim (2831), Aningeje (6209), Ekong Anaku (4364) and Orimekpang (2116). A total of 9488 and 5695 flies were collected during the rainy and dry seasons respectively in the four communities studied. The differences in relative abundance among the communities were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Monthly and seasonal fly numbers varied significantly (P < 0.008). There were differences in diurnal biting activities of flies in this study at different hours of the day and different months. The peak monthly biting rates were 5993 (Agbokim, October), 13,134 (Aningeje, October), 8680 (Ekong Anaku, October) and 6120 (Orimekpang, September) bites/person/month while the lowest monthly biting rates were 400 (Agbokim, November), 2862 (Aningeje, August), 1405 (Ekong Anaku, January) and 0.0 (Orimekpang, November and December) bites/person/month. Differences in biting rates among the study communities were significant (P < 0.001). The peak monthly transmission potential in Aningeje was 160 infective bites/person/month in the month of February while the lowest (except for months with no transmission) was 42 infective bites/person/month in the month of April. All other study sites had no ongoing transmission in this study. Transmission studies showed that there is progress toward transmission interruption especially in 3 out of the four studied areas. Molecular O-150 poolscreen studies is required to confirm the true transmission situation in the areas.