Urinary Schistosomiasis Among School Aged-Children in Some Selected Local Government Area of Kogi State: Prevalence and Risk Factors

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is largely a water-snail related disease that mostly affects school aged children in developing countries. The disease is also related to poverty and lack of health education among other factors. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for Schistosomiasis among school-aged children in three selected riverine local government of Kogi State. Schistosomiasis burden among school-aged children in Kogi is not well documented in the literature. This study used field research (in the form of a snail survey), laboratory work (urinalysis and microscopy for parasite identification), and questionnaire-guided interviews to determine the prevalence and risk factors for Schistosomiasis among school –aged children. Contact with infested water put
these children and the general population at risk of infection and reinfection. Inclusion of school children in treatment programmes should be considered imperative, along with safe treatment guidelines. To prevent infection, the population in these areas should be provided with health education and safe alternative water sources.