Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and associated haemato-proteinuria in Wurno Rural Area of Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Schistosomiasis is the second most predominant tropical disease in the world, next to malaria. Nigeria is one of the countries in Africa, where urinary schistosomiasis is endemic with an estimated 25 million people living with the disease, and 101 million others at risk. On account of these, there is need to devise a rapid, affordable and reliable detection technique for this highly endemic disease.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study involving 300 randomly selected participants. Socio-demographic data, risk factors and symptoms of schistosomiasis were obtained using questionnaires. The sedimentation method was utilized to examine Schistosoma haematobium ova in urine samples.
Results: The prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection, determined by a positive filtration result, was 37.7% (95% Confidence Interval), of which 54% were irrigation farmers, and 43% children. Schistosomiasis was found to be associated with hematuria (97.3%) and proteinuria (79.6%).

Conclusion: Haematuria and proteinuria have a potential value in the screening for community diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis in endemic areas. Vesical schistosomiasis is recognized as a significant public health problem among Kwargaba, Tutudawa, Lugu and Tunga rural farmers and children, and this, calls for effective intervention by the local government authority and Sokoto State government.

Keywords: Kidney, schistosoma haematobium, urinary bladder, parasite