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Urinary
schistosomiasis epidemiological survey of urinary
schistosomiasis among children in selected schools: A
preliminary study in Minna, Nigeria
Chidozie E. U.
and Daniyan S. Y.*
Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology
Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
mrsdaniyan@yahoo.com.
Accepted 8 July, 2008 |
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The study was carried out in Minna Metropolis, between
August and December, 2005, with a total of 387 school
children interviewed and 217 urine samples analysed. This
research employs the use of questionnaires, validation of
questionnaires by urinalysis and the microscopic examination
of the urine samples. The research is aimed at appreciating
prevalent level of urinary schistosomiasis in Minna
metropolis. The overall prevalence of urinary
schistosomiasis, as confirmed by the presence of egg of
Schistosoma haematobium was 12.9%, reported blood in the
urine 34.4%, microhaematuria 52.5%, protenuria 32.7% and red
blood cells 24.6%. The frequency of gross haematuria, and
the degree of microhaematuria and proteinuria detectable by
chemical reagent strips was observed to correlate with
intensity of infection. The urinary schistosomiasis
prevalence, confirmed by urine microscopy, of 12.9% in the
selected school children within Minna, in spite its urban
status, suggests that Minna is an endemic area, and the
state requires an effective urinary schistosomiasis control
programme. A major concern which represents a serious issue
in the study includes the very poor level of awareness about
the possible cause of urinary schistosomiasis or reported
blood in the urine, as only 0.78% of the children have
knowledge about the infection and 12% of the children that
reported having blood in their urine have visited a health
center.
Key words:
Prevalence, schistosomiasis, epidemiological survey,
proteinuria, microhaematuria. |
