Abstract:
Background: Nigeria is the global hotspot for schistosomiasis despite several rounds
of school-based preventive chemotherapy because reliable data regarding its
geographical distribution are lacking and there is a need to know the current prevalence
for the control plans. Objective: This study aimed to determine the current prevalence,
intensity, and risk factors for urinary schistosomiasis among vulnerable primary school
children in Silame, Sokoto, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional laboratory-based study
was carried out in April 2021 on 188 primary school children in Silame, Sokoto State,
Nigeria. Urine samples were collected and examined using the sedimentation technique
for the presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs. Hematuria was tested using a urine
dipstick. Results: Overall, 40 (21.3%) were positive for urinary schistosomiasis with a
mean geometric count of 452 eggs/10 ml of urine. Gender was associated (p=0.0036)
with Schistosoma haematobium infection and males 27 (14.4%) recorded higher
prevalence than females 13 (6.9%). Hematuria was significantly associated with
Schistosoma haematobium infection (p<0.001) and males (13.8%) recorded higher
frequency than females (7.5%). Participants with light intensity of infections 26 (65%)
were more than moderate 12 (30%), and heavy infections 2 (5%). Factors significantly
associated with Schistosoma haematobium infection are gender (p=0.0036) and water
source (p<0.001). Conclusion: The present study showed that a significant number of
primary school children in Silame suffer from urinary schistosomiasis. Males are at
higher risk of infections than females. Strengthening schistosomiasis surveillance
systems to identify hotspots, sustainable chemotherapeutic intervention, and improving
health education reduces schistosomiasis prevalence.
