PREVALENCE OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN DAKACE DISTRICT, ZARIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
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ABSTRACT
Urine and stool samples were collected from 540 students (9-14 years) in at Dakace district in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The samples were examined for urinary and intestinal Schistosomiasis infection. Each student was interviewed and data collectors used a structured pre-tested questionnaire that included questions on socioeconomic status of the family and risk factors that may be associated with schistosomiasis infection. A standard filtration technique was used to diagnose and quantify ova of S. haematobium and S. mansoni. Ten millitre (10 ml) of urine was filtered through 13 mm diameter in 12 μm pore size of nylon mesh filter using plastic syringe. The filter containing the filtrate was removed and placed on a clean microscopic slide and examined under a middle power objective (X40). After examining the whole field, microscopic slides containing eggs of S. haematobium were recorded as positive while absence of eggs was taken as negative. Stool samples were tested for the presence of S. mansoni eggs using the standard Kato Katz technique. Two slides from the same stool samples were prepared and examined for infection. Odds ratio and Pearson Chi square test was used to determine the association and relationship between age, school, risk factor and sex with schistosoma infection. An overall prevalence of 120 (22.22%) was recorded with S. haematobium and S. mansoni in all. Schistosoma haematobium recorded the highest prevalence of 14 (28.15%) in urine, while S. mansoni accounted for only 46 (17.04%) in stool samples examined. There were significant difference (p<0.05) in the infection of schistosomiasis among different schools in Dakace district with the highest (34.44%) and lowest (7.78%) infection were obtained from Nagoyi Local Government Education Authority (L. G. E. A.) primary school and Kith and Kin Academy respectively. The age specific prevalence of schistosomiasis ranged between 23 (12.78%) in ages 9-10 to 54 (30.00%) in 13-14 years age group. The prevalence of 9 schistosomiasis was higher in males (14.07%) than their females (8.15%) counterpart. There were significant (p<0.05) association between prevalence infection with source water (Well; OR = 1.529; Tap; OR = 2.053 and stream/river; OR = 2.125) and faecal disposal using pit latrines, OR = 1.117 and water systems, OR = 1.992. Schistosomiasis was not associated with fishing, swimming and washing in the river/stream. The prevalence of 22.22% was established in the selected schools in Dakace district of Zaria. Health education and large-scale chemotherapy for all school children to decrease the prevalence and intensity of infection would be highly suitable.
