Schistosoma haematobium Infections: Prevalence and Morbidity Indicators in Communities around Wasai Dam, Minjibir, Kano State, Northern Nigeria

Objectives of the Study: A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence and human risk factors of Schistosoma haematobium infections in Farawa and Koya dam-site communities in Minjibir Local Government Area of Kano State, Northern Nigeria.

Place and Duration of Study: Farawa and Koya dam-site communities in Minjibir local government area of Kano State, Northern Niger, between October, 2014 and February, 2015.

Methodology: A total of 120 individuals, 60 selected randomly from each community were examined. Urine sedimentation method, urinalysis reagent strip method (Medi-Test Combi-9) and questionnaire administration were employed for detection of characteristic parasite egg, morbidity indicators and major risk factors for the infection, respectively.

Results: The overall prevalence of S. haematobium infection was found to be 70.0% (80/120). The prevalence was slightly in Koya (73.0%) than 40 in Farawa community (66.6%). Infection prevalence was gender-biased in favour of males with statistical significance (P<0.05), who also manifested with macrohaematuria (75.0%), proteinuria (65.0%) and urine nitrite (15.0%), in Farawa community; macrohaematuria (75.0%), proteinuria (51.9%) and urine nitrite (38.5%) in Koya community. A high rate of macrohaematuria among younger age groups (≤35 years) in both communities might be an indication of high infection intensity which portends risk of bladder carcinogenesis at old age.

Conclusion: Public enlightenment programme with a view to reducing unprotected exposure to risk factors such as irrigation agriculture, fishing, bathing and domestic water use, and mass chemotherapy targeting younger age groups, will help curb high infection prevalence in the study area.