The epidemiology of <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> in Odau community in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria

Abstract

A study was conducted between August 2001 and July 2002 to investigate the current pattern of prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma haematobium infection at Odau Community in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria.. Three hundred urine specimens were examined from randomly sampled individuals aged between 0 years and 73 years. More than 50% of the participants were under the age of 20 years, and the population sampled had a male to female ratio of 37:23. Quantitative microscopic counting of Schistosoma haematobium eggs was carried out. Two hundred and fifty participants out of the three hundred examined were positive for the infection, representing an overall estimated prevalence of 83.3%. The infection rate peaked (93.0%) in the 10-14 years age category. A significant negative correlation (r =0.306, P < 0.1) was found between age and intensity of infection. The age and sex pattern of Schistosoma haematobium infection as obtained from the study area showed a typical peak prevalence in early adolescence with males having a higher prevalence rate (84.9%) than females' (80.9%) (χ² = P > 0.01). The high rates of prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma haematobium observed in the present study clearly indicated that Odau Community is facing a great health burden especially the children and women who had severe infections.

Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 9(3) 2005: 37-43