Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors associated with urinary schistosomiasis among secondary school students in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Eight hundred urine samples were randomly collected and analyzed from students attending two secondary schools. Schistosoma eggs were detected in 160 (20%) of the 800 urine samples collected and processed. The highest prevalence of 27% was recorded in Kufena. Overall males had a higher prevalence rate (23.49%) compared to females (2.94%) with a higher prevalence (35.29%) among older students (≥ 20 years old). The ova were detected more in males (23.5%; CI: 17.7–30.5) compared to females (2.9%; CI: 0.5– 14.9). Also there was no statistically significant association (P=0.058) between time of last deworming and detection of ova. In terms of sources of water, the highest prevalence was found among those using well water for drinking and bathing (28.97% and 22.66% respectively). Among those found positive for the infection, 57.9% and 15.7% had haematuria and proteinuria respectively while 30.0% had a combination of hematuria and proteinuria. The findings of this study suggest that schistosomiasis is prevalent within the study population. We therefore recommend that measures should be taken to purify water supply in the area and school students should be dewormed routinely with appropriate drugs to prevent this infection. Public health education on the associated risk factors and dangers posed by the disease and further studies on the prevalence of schistosomiasis also need to be carried out.

Keywords: Urinary schistosomiasis; Bolinus globosus; Kaduna; Haematuria; Proteinuria