Prevalence of <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> infection among primary school pupils in Keffi Town, Keffi Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infection among pupils in primary school of Keffi Town, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State was carried out. Samples were examined for ova of schistosomes microscopically following concentration with formol-ether technique at the Parasitology Laboratory of the Federal College of Medical and Veterinary Laboratory, NVRI, Vom, Plateau State. A total number of 200 stool samples were collected from 100 males and 100 female pupils. The result of the microscopic examinations showed the prevalence of 3 (3.19%) for S. mansoni. In relation to age, schistosomiasis had a higher prevalence rate among children between the age-range 10-14 of 3 (100.00%) than the younger children. Further results in relation to sex revealed that only 3 (1.5%) males were positive for S. mansoni, while none of the females examined were positive. Other intestinal infections included helminthes such as Hyemenolepis nana (1.063%) and ovum of hookworm (6.382%). Protozoans observed include Entamoeba histolytical (44.680), Entamoeba coli (32.978), Girdian lambia (6.382) and Iodomoe babuschlii (5.319) which are all also harmful to the humans. The findings of this work may show that school-age children are the most affected group due to high exposure to vector-infested water bodies situated around the study site as growth retardation and poor school performance are the adverse effects of the disease besides clinical manifestation and its complications.

Keywords: prevalence, Schistosoma mansoni, primary school children