Urinary schistosomiasis among preschool children in a rural community near Abeokuta, Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundThe control of schistosomiasis in Nigeria is mainly by mass treatment with praziquantel through the school system, with an absence of any provision for pre-school children. We therefore determined the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis in pre-school children between the ages of 1-6 years in Ilewo-Orile a rural and endemic community, near Abeokuta, Nigeria as part of providing information on the neglected tropical diseases among this age group. Two urine samples were collected from each pre-school child. The samples were tested for microhaematuria using reagent strips and then processed and examined with a microscope for Schistosoma haematobium ova.ResultsOf the 167 children examined 97 (58.1%) had infection, with no significant difference (P = 0.809) in infection rates between boys (57.1%) and girls (59.2%). Both prevalence and intensity of infection did not increase significantly with age (P = 0.732). The overall geometric mean egg count was 1.17 eggs/10 ml urine. There was no significant association (P = 0.387) between intensity in boys (1.16 eggs/10 ml urine) and girls (1.19 eggs/10 ml urine). 47.4% of the children had microhaematuria which did not increase significantly with age (P = 0.526). Focus group discussions with guardians and caregivers revealed that infection of pre-school children early in life was due to exposures through bathing in the stream by their mothers, while the older children would visit the stream for washing, fetching of water, bathing and swimming.ConclusionCommunity participatory health education is needed in this community as a first step in reducing infection and transmission of the disease, while the rehabilitation and repair of the existing water borehole system in the community should be effected. The results of this study have shown that pre-school children also harbour infection and are a source of transmission of schistosomiasis in endemic communities. Planning and provision for their treatment should be considered in control programmes.

Urinary schistosomiasis among preschool children in Malengachanzi, Nkhotakota District, Malawi: Prevalence and risk factors

“…Urinalysis reagent strips (Cortez Diagnostics Inc., Woodland Hills, CA, USA) were used to detect the presence of haemoglobin in the urine, following methods described by Ekpo et al 21 The colours found on the strips were directly compared to the colours indicated on the reagent strip bottle in order to determine the exact category of the colour. The colour values were labelled as negative (-), slightly positive (+), positive (++), and strongly positive (+++), each corresponding to the amount of blood found in the urine sample being tested.…”

“…based on morphological identification keys. 19,20,21 Those that were identified as Bulinus globosus were counted and the rest were thrown back into the water.…”

“…Preschool children have been overlooked despite emerging evidence from other countries and other parts of Malawi that preschoolers carry significant levels of schistosomiasis infection and are at risk of infection just like their older school-aged counterparts. 12,21,23 No study in Nkhotakota District has focused on urinary schistosomiasis prevalence and risk factors among preschool children. In order to estimate the burden of the disease, it remains important to collect up-to-date information to assist in planning treatment and prevention strategies.…”

Prevalence and risk factors of Schistosoma haematobium infections among primary school children in Igbokuta Village, Ikorodu North Local Government, Lagos State.

“…Village primary school children are particularly vulnerable to schistosomiasis because of their routine habit and lifestyle. Water contact recreational activities among primary school children between the ages of 5-15 years old includes bathing, swimming, drinking, washing clothes or kitchen utencils and fetching of water, are generally the norm which serves as potential source of transmission 16 . Systematic schistosomicidal treatment had never been applied in the village 16 .…”

“…Water contact recreational activities among primary school children between the ages of 5-15 years old includes bathing, swimming, drinking, washing clothes or kitchen utencils and fetching of water, are generally the norm which serves as potential source of transmission 16 . Systematic schistosomicidal treatment had never been applied in the village 16 . Infection with urinary schistosomiasis occurs very early in life through exposure to contaminated water bodies.…”