Urogenital Schistosomiasis Study in a Rural Community, North West Nigeria

Background: Bilharzia is a parasitic disease caused by the trematode worms (schistosomes). It is the most important and prevalent of water-borne parasitic disease.Schistosomiasis affects between 200 million and 300 million people in 77 countries throughout the world and is a significant cause of disease in areas of endemic infections especially among children.

Aims: The study was aimed to determine the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis among people in Goronyo and taloka communities in Sokoto State, Nigeria.

Study Design: Investigative study.

Place and duration of study: The samples were collected from Goronyo and Taloka communities of Goronyo local government Area of Sokoto State between October and December, 2020.

Methodology: 300 water samples were obtained from domestic water sources. 175 of the samples were collected from river, 77 from borehole and 48 from well. Samples were investigated for the presence of parasites using standard parasitological techniques. Samples were subjected to macroscopy, filtration, centrifugation and microscopy.

Results: Findings reveals total prevalence of 37%. The prevalence in Taloka was higher (47%) than Goronyo (27%)(P<0.05). Males were found to be more infected (52%) than their females counterparts (12%). The age group 16-20 had the highest prevalence rate of 45% compared to age group 5-10 (34%). Fishermen had the highest prevalence rate of 71% while civil servants is least (14%).

Conclusion: Findings revealed that the source of water in the study area constitute an epidemiological threat to public health. However, inhabitants of the communities should boil or treat water before consumption while we solicit for government intervention so that the control of the infestation can be achieved through the integration of complementary strategies such as disease surveillance, chemotherapy, health education, alternative water supplies and public sanitation in the study area.