Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among school children

Objectives : This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among schoolchildren in Ogbese, a community targeted for the mass distribution of praziquantel, and to evaluate the proportion of examined children who had access to mass drug administration (MDA). Materials and Methods: Between April and August 2022, mid-stream urine samples were collected from randomly selected schoolchildren attending public schools within the community. Participation was contingent on the children’s assent and written informed consent from their parents. Each urine sample, measuring 10 milliliters, was examined macroscopically for visible hematuria. Schistosoma haematobium eggs, identified by their characteristic terminal spine, were detected using the urine sedimentation technique. The intensity of infection was quantified as the number of eggs per 10 mL of urine (eggs/10 mL), with infections classified as mild (1–49 eggs/10 mL) or heavy (≥50 eggs/10 mL). A structured questionnaire was administered to collect participants’ biodata and additional information, such as their history of MDA intake. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s Chi-square test to assess associations between variables. Results: A total of 260 children were examined, out of which 138 (53%) were male and 122 (47%) were female. Results obtained from this study revealed that the overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in school children was 20%. The infection rate was higher in males (22%) compared to females (18%), though this difference was not statistically significant ( P = 0.458). The 10–14 year age group had the highest prevalence of infection at 31%, but this difference was not statistically significant compared to other age groups (p = 0.090). Only 26% of the children had knowledge of urinary schistosomiasis. Conclusion: This study established that urinary schistosomiasis remains endemic in the study area with a prevalence of 20%. While this is lower than the national average of 35%, it underscores the mesoendemic status of urinary schistosomiasis in Ondo State.