Prevalence of Urinary Schistosomiasis Infection among Women in Yala Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Urinary schistosomiasis is endemic in Nigeria and continues to be a threat to public health especially for inhabitants of rural areas. Women in villages may be ignorant of the cause of the disease. The main source of water in these areas in most parts of Nigeria is the streams with resultant spread of schistosomiasis. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of schistosomiasis infection among women in Yala L.G.A in Cross River State, Nigeria. Macroscopy, urinalysis, and microscopy were used to examine the 650 urine samples collected from two villages (Ugaga and Okpoma) to determine presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs. Questionnaires administered to women provided information on socio-demographic data and water-contact activities. Out of the 650 urine specimens examined in the two villages, 202 (31.08%) were infected with the highest prevalence found among the 11-22 years age group, and the least (12.80%) among the 59-70 years age group. Statistical analysis at significance level (P<0.05) revealed that there is a significant relationship between occupation and infection rate of schistosomiasis in the area. Schistosomiasis is of serious public health importance. Hence, the need for an acceptable preventive and control intervention to be carried out in this study area to reduce this problem.