Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among school children in a rural community in South-South, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis is a major health problems in tropical Africa with school age children being most affected. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of the disease among primary and secondary school children in a rural community in Edo State. STUDY DESIGN: A cross sectional study was carried out in a rural community in Etsako West local government area of Edo state. Respondents included all primary and secondary school students in the community. A structured administered questionnaire and urine microscopy were used for data collection. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Twenty-four percent of subjects reported passing blood in urine out of which 10.9% had ever sought medical attention for the haematuria. The overall prevalence of urinary Schistosomiasis, as confirmed by the presence of eggs of Schistosoma haematobium was 10.7% with males being almost 3 times as many as the affected females; 32 (74.4%) versus 11(25.6%). Prevalence of microhaematuria was 4.96 %, and protenuria 7.94% . There is need for an urgent mapping of communities served by the infested stream, as well as enlightenment campaigns to educate the rural populace on the disease and it's complications.