Open AccessUROGENITAL SCHISTOSOMIASIS AMONG COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING KIRI RESERVOIR, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA.
Author(s) -
M.S. Kaleson,
W. A. Istifanus,
Musa Maryam Suleiman,
Sam Mao Panda
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
african journal of health safety and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2695-2386
pISSN - 2695-1819
DOI - 10.52417/ajhse.v3i1.194
Subject(s) - schistosomiasis , environmental health , potable water , medicine , health education , geography , demography , public health , immunology , helminths , environmental engineering , environmental science , pathology , sociology
schistosomiasis is endemic and remains a life-threatening problem in Nigeria, especially among communities that come in frequent contact with water bodies. Information on the level of endemicity varies from place to place and is vital for control purposes. There is a paucity of such data for the Kiri reservoir and environs. A longitudinal study was undertaken in 7 communities surrounding the reservoir from 2018 to 2019 to assess the prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis. A total of 688 urine samples were assayed for schistosome ova using the sedimentation technique. Out of these, 296 (43%) were positive for Schistosoma heamatobium ova. Males were significantly more infected than females (p<0.05). Infection was also significantly higher in younger than older individuals (p<0.05). There was a significant relationship between the prevalence of infection and distance from the reservoir, occupation as well as the level of education of individuals. With the observed level of endemicity, mass chemotherapy, provision of potable water and health education are advocated as mitigation measures that will reduce endemicity and curtail the further spread of the infection.