Schistosomiasis is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases in terms of morbidity and mortality and it is endemic in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis in four communities (Agbura, Otakeme, Otuagela and Otuokpoti) in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria using Filtration and Sedimentation technique. Snails collected were identified by the shape of their outer shell. Basic statistics method and ANOVA was used to analyze the data. Out of the 276 urine samples examined, 36 (13.0%) tested positive for Schistosoma haematobium. The age-related infection showed that the age-group 10-14 years (26.9%) had the highest rate of infection, followed by 5-9 years 7 (19.4%). Age-group 50 years and above had a zero infection rate. Sex -related infection showed that an overall prevalence rate of 71.6% was recorded among males and 39.4% for females indicating that infection was higher in males than in females in all the communities; In Otuokpoti, males 8(33.3%) to females 5 (15.1%), In Otakeme, males had 6 (12.8%) than females 5 Gbonhinbor and Abah; IJTDH, 39(3): 1-9, 2019; Article no.IJTDH.52858 2 (15.6%), in Otuagela males had 7 (16.7%) than females 2 (8.7%) and in Agbura males had 3 (8.8%) than females 1 (9.1%). Primary school children had the highest 16 (21.9%) while retired civil servants had 0(0.0%). The difference was significant. Bulinus globosus was the only snail intermediate host identified in both ponds and streams. Human water contact activities observed around the water bodies were recreational activities (washing, bathing, fishing) and harvesting of freshwater snails. Variance (ANOVA) of the age-specific prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis in the four communities showed no significant difference at P<0.05 (P=0.082) among sampled population and also no significant difference at P<0.05 (P=0.55) across the infected population in the four communities. In conclusion, urogenital schistosomiasis is still prevalent and remains a public health challenge in Ogbia, Bayelsa state. It is strongly recommended that health education and provision of safe water should be stepped up as a control measure of the infection in the area. Original Research Article

Background: In Nigeria, intestinal parasitic infection (IPI) is one of the neglected tropical diseases of public health importance. Objectives: This study investigated intestinal parasitic infection and associated risk factors among primary school-aged children in Sagbama Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Methods: A total of 622 stool samples (335 males and 287 females) were collected from 13 primary schools in nine communities and analyzed using parasitological techniques (direct wet mount and formal ether concentration method). The Tukey Honest Significance Difference test (HSD) was used to determine the association and variation between prevalence and socioeconomic variables. Results: Nine parasite species were encountered with a total prevalence of 23.95%, including Ascaris lumbricoides (7.32%), Entamoeba histolytica (4.98%), Strongyloides stercorals (2.09%), Giardia lamblia (1.93%), Hookworm (1.77%), Trichuris trichiura (1.61%), Schistosoma mansoni (1.45%), Diphyllobotium latium (0.64%) and Fasciola hepatica (0.32%). A total of 4.50% of infections were mixed. With 30.26%, the age group 5 - 7 years had the highest infection rate. The second most prevalent age group was 8 - 10 years old (26.53%), while the least prevalent age group was 14 - 16 years old (12.60%). Males were more infected with the disease, 25.07%, than females, 22.65%. Ascaris lumbricoides were the most predominantcommon parasites encountered across the nine communities. There was a significant difference between the infected population in the nine communities at P < 0.05 (P = 0.001). Conclusions: There was a relatively high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among primary school children in Sagbama local government area. Improved sanitation, safe drinking water, and set-up health education in the communities will reduce the exacerbation of the infection in the area.

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