UROGENITAL SCHISTOSOMIASIS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN NUMAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ADAMAWA STATE

Abstract

Urogenital schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium remains a major public health problem among school-aged children in rural Nigeria due to frequent contact with contaminated water. This study assessed the prevalence, infection intensity, demographic distribution, and risk factors associated with S. haematobium infection among 410 school children aged 6–15 years in selected primary schools in Numan Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study design was employed. Urine samples were collected and examined microscopically for S. haematobium eggs, while structured questionnaires were used to obtain demographic, socioeconomic, environmental, and behavioural information. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and odds ratio analysis at a significance level of P < 0.05. The overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was 9.5% (39/410), indicating that the disease remains endemic in the study area. Infection prevalence ranged from 9.0% to 10.5% across the selected schools, with no significant variation among schools. Most infected children (79.5%) had light infection intensity (<50 eggs/10 ml urine), while 20.5% had heavy infections. Although age, sex, parental occupation, and household size were not significantly associated with infection, children aged 9–12 years and males showed slightly higher prevalence. Housing type was the only significant socioeconomic factor associated with infection. Environmental and behavioural factors, including unsafe water sources, inadequate sanitation, frequent water contact, poor hygiene practices, and low disease awareness, were significantly associated with infection. Integrated control strategies involving mass drug administration, improved water and sanitation, hygiene promotion, and health education are recommended to reduce disease transmission