Prevalence of Schistosomiasis among Primary School Children in Gadabuke District, Toto LGA, North Central Nigeria

Aim: This study was aimed at determining the number of children infected in relation to study population.
Study Design: Cross sectional
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted among school children in Gadabuke and Garagwa LGEA Primary schools in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria between October-December, 2012.
Materials and Methods: A total of 250 samples were collected comprising 192 urine and 58 faecal samples. Samples were investigated using standard World Health Organisation guidelines for identification of parasites. Samples were analysed macroscopically and microscopically.
Results: Out of the 192 children screened. Gadabuke LGED primary school had a prevalence of 58.1% while Garagwa LGED primary school had a prevalence of 22.7% and the overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in the two schools is 44.3%. There was no significant difference in prevalence rate of urinary schistosomiasis between Gadabuke and Garagwa primary schools (P>0.05). On the other hand, Gadabuke had a prevalence of 5.3% for S.mansoni and 0% prevalence for Garagwa LGED. On the whole, the prevalence of S. mansoni was 3.4% in the study area. Children of age group (8 – 14) were more infected with urinary schistosomiasis. Male had higher prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis 50 (50%) than the female 35 (35%). Statistically there was significance difference in prevalence infection of Schistosoma haematobium among males and females investigated. Children whose parents are farmers and fishermen had the highest prevalence infections, followed by Artisan, civil servant and the businessmen.
Conclusion: Urinary schistosomiasis in some selected primary schools in Gadabuke district of Toto LGA in Nasarawa State have been documented.