Ultrasonography Analysis and Incidence of Urinary Schistosomiasis among some Selected Junior Secondary School Students in Rigachikun, Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Study’s Excerpt/Novelty This study assesses urinary schistosomiasis prevalence and associated ultrasonographic abnormalities among school-aged children in Rigachikun, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. By combining urine sample analysis and ultrasound examination, the research identifies a significant infection rate (5.00%) and highlights the presence of urinary tract abnormalities in 70% of infected subjects. The findings underscore the ongoing disease burden of schistosomiasis in the region and advocate for expanded research on adult populations and snail intermediate hosts to inform targeted intervention strategies. Full Abstract This study evaluated urinary schistosomiasis and ultrasonography incidence among school-aged children in Rigachikun, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.  Three hundred urine samples were collected from students within 5-16 years from 3 selected schools.  The samples were tested for urinary schistosomiasis, and information was gathered using a standardized questionnaire.  The weight and height of the samples were measured using an electronic scale (9201 SV3R) and a portable stadiometer (ADE MZ10042).  5.29% of males and 3.70% of females tested positive for urinary schistosomiasis.  Ultrasound examination was performed on ten positive and one negative subjects for confirmation.  The mean age was 11.00±5.72 years.  Seven out of ten (70%) subjects showed urinary tract abnormalities.  The ultrasound findings revealed two out of ten (20%) had bladder wall thickening, four out of ten (40%) had an irregular shape of the bladder wall, and ureteric dilatation was observed in one out of ten (10%) among the subjects.  Ultrasound is a useful tool for identifying the morbidity of S. haematobium.  Schistosomiasis infection amongst schools in Rigachikun was established at 5.00%.  This has confirmed that schistosomiasis is still a disease burden amongst school-aged students in Rigachikun and, by extension, all the study area's inhabitants.  It can be recommended that further studies need to be carried out on adults and snail intermediate hosts.