Investigating Urinary Schistosomiasis in Bali Town, Bali Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

Urinary Schistosomiasis is endemic in Nigeria particularly in the rural areas close to water body. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and endemicity of Schistosoma haematobium infection in four areas in Bali town, Bali Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria. A total of two hundred (200) urine samples were examined for the ova of the parasite using sedimentation technique between March and April, 2014. The overall prevalence was 15.5%. However, males had higher (26.7%) and statistically significant (P<0.05) prevalence than their female counterpart (6.4%). Subjects within the age bracket of 10-19 years had the peak prevalence (28.6%). Prevalence of infection also varied according to the areas with Kwararrafa having the highest prevalence of 23.3%. This study
revealed that Bali is endemic with low prevalence for Urinary  Schistosomiasis. Nevertheless, it draws attention to the health hazards posed by the disease among the people. Therefore, prompt intervention by the Federal, State and Local Governments are needed in order to effectively control the disease in Bali town. This should include health education by health authorities to sensitizing the people on the implication of the infection.

Keywords: Prevalence, Urinary Schistosomiasis, Bali town, Taraba State, Nigeria.