Haematobium infection and the predisposing factors in Fufore LGA of Adamawa State
Department of Biological Sciences (Medical Parasitology and Public Health), Federal University Wukari. Nigeria.
Research Article
International Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Archive, 2023, 06(01), 009–017.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijbpsa.2023.6.1.0062
Publication history:
Received on 14 May 2023; revised on 02 July 2023; accepted on 05 July 2023
Abstract:
Background & Objectives: Schistosomiasis, is a major health problem in the rural areas of developing countries where there is high water contact activities with fresh water bodies, poor hygienic practices and no portal drinking water. It ranks the second after Malaria with socio-economic and public health importance in the tropics and subtropical regions. To provide information on the prevalence and predisposing factors of Haematobium infection among School-aged children in relation to their age and gender in Fufore LGA.
Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of urinary Schistosomiasis and the predisposing factors in Fofure LGA of Adamawa State between October and November 2022 where five Schools were sampled for the study. 300 Students between the ages 0-15 years were randomly selected and grouped into three age groups (0-5, 6-10 and 11-15) respectively. Urine samples were obtained from the students and transferred to New Boshang Hospital Medical Laboratory for parasitological examination. Each were also issued a structured questionnaire so as to obtain their demographic characteristics and to determine the possible risk factors associated with this infection in the case of study.
Results: Out of the total 300 Students examined, 113(37.7%) were positive for Schistosoma haematobium and the Males (43.9%) had significantly higher prevalence (P < 0.05) than the Females (30.2%). In respect to age, the age group 11-15 (51.5%) were significantly more infected (P < 0.05) than the younger age groups 0-5 (8.2%) and 6-10 (36.6%) examined. Haematobium infection was observed to be higher in children whose parents were irrigation farmers/ fishermen 173(57.7%) than those whose parents are not. Students whose household monthly income is below N30, 000 were more infected. Those that used well 97(32.3) and streams 123(41.0%) as source of drinking water showed high prevalence than those who use borehole. Students whose water contact activities were for farming/ fishing 201(67.7%) were significantly more infected with haematobium infection (P < 0.05) than those without ant water contact activity.
Interpretation and Conclusion: From the result of the study, it’s clear that poverty, ignorance, socio-cultural practice, poor hygienic practices, inadequate toiletry facility are some of the predisposing factors associated with this infection in the study area. Intervention by the relevant authorities are needed to curtail the transmission of this infection. These interventions includes; massive health education, provision of portable drinking water and provision of good sanitary/ toilet facility.
Keywords:
Adamawa State; Fufore; School-aged; Haematobium infection; Predisposing factors
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