Urinary schistosomiasis in rural communities of some Local Government Areas in Plateau State, Nigeria: a preliminary parasitological and malacological Survey

Abstract

A preliminary parasitological and malacological survey was effected in rural communities of some Local Government Areas (LGA) in Plateau State, Nigeria, to estimate the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and identify active transmission foci. Out of 2888 persons examined in six LGAs, 1381 (47.82%) were excreting eggs of Schistosoma haematobium in their urine. Prevalence rates did not vary significantly (P > 0.05) between the LGAs: Pankshin (62.4%), Shendam (40.2%), Qua'an-Pan (22.9%), Langtang South (45.4%), Langtang North (58.8%) and Wase (50.0%). Infection rates were significantly different (P < 0.001) between the sexes. Many water bodies in the study communities were colonized by infected Bulinus snails. Snail infection rates varied significantly (P < 0.001) between the dry and wet seasons. A positive correlation was observed between snail infection rates and the prevalence of S. haematobium.

Schistosoma haematobium co-infection with soil-transmitted helminthes: prevalence and risk factors from two communities in the central region of Ghana

“…[36] Consistent with these earlier reports, [34,35] the present results showed that the closeness of the two communities to the water source may probably have motivated watercontact activities, which is the main possible way by which the school children may have come into contact with the infective stages of S. haematobium. Notably, fishing, swimming, and wading through water were common activities which many of the school children admitted they have engaged in at least once at a time, and these may have increased the chances of contact between the school children and the infective stages of S. haematobium as previously reported.…”

“…For instance, some reports either associated males [35,38,39] or females [40] with the risk of S. haematobium infection while other studies reported no association between gender and the risk of S. haematobium infection. [41] Although limited in evidence, the present result showed high risk of S. haematobium infection among males compared to females in both communities (table 3), perhaps due to the aggressive nature of male children and their natural tendency to play than their female counterparts, who are relatively reserved.…”

“…Several studies have associated the risk of S. haematobium infection to proximity of communities to water bodies, [8,34] water sources infested with vectors (Bulinus globosus), and infective stages of S. haematobium (larvae and cercariae), [35] children and water-contact activities. [36] Consistent with these earlier reports, [34,35] the present results showed that the closeness of the two communities to the water source may probably have motivated watercontact activities, which is the main possible way by which the school children may have come into contact with the infective stages of S. haematobium.…”

DOT-ELISA and parasitological examination for diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection in Nigeria

“…Of these the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been reported as very useful for shistosomiasis studies. Recent data and information on intestinal schistosomiasis in Jos, Plateau State and other parts of central Nigeria are rather scanty and focal (Akufongwe et al, 1996;Egwunyenga et al, 1994). These investigations however relied solely on parasitological diagnosis.…”

Urogenital schistosomiasis in females from some suburban communities of Jos, north central Nigeria

“…The low percentage frequency was attributed to the unattractive edaphic nature of the perennial rocky small streams, and the low water volume which did not encourage much swimming or playing. When compared to other studies; as high as 48.2 -86% have been reported [25,48,56,57]. These studies implicated water contact for recreational purposes as the major source of contracting schistosomiasis.…”