Risk factors <i>Schistosoma hematobium</i> in Ajelanwa area of Oyo state, Nigeria

Abstract

Infection with Schistosoma hematobium has been on the rise in developing countries with studies done in Nigeria alluding to the risk factors for infection. However, these risks factors have often not been properly described in the context in which they occurred. This study aims to describe the situation in which these risk factors occur in a rural pcpulation. A cross sectional study of children aged 5 to 24 years was conducted in a rural transborder community in Nigeria using a systematic random sampling method. Five hundred and thirty one participants were interviewed and examined for anaemia, cleanliness and skin infections, while a mid-day urine sample was taken for microscopic identification of S haematobium. A large proportion of respondents were either dirty 271 (51.0%) or unkempt - uncut nails, unkempt hair and tattered clothes 105 (19.8%) with 11 (2.1 %) having scabies. Clinically detectable anaemia was present in 153 (28.8%) of the subjects. The prevalence rate of S haematobium was 14% in the study population with those within the ages 15 and 19 having the highest prevalence figure of 16.5%. Males were also more infected 48 (15.1%) than females 26 (12.2%). The risk factors for infection were water activities like swimming (OR 2.97,95% CI 1.55 - 5.77) and bathing (OR 3.22, 95% CI 1.53 - 6.79). In addition water visitation in the afternoon was also a risk factor for infection (OR 4.21,95% CI 1.85 - 9.93). It is advocated that water contact activities be reduced in areas at increased risk of infection with S haematobium.

Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 54 (1) 2008: pp. 3-7