Urinary schistosomiasis epidemiological survey of urinary schistosomiasis among children in selected schools: A preliminary study in Minna, Nigeria

The study was carried out in Minna Metropolis, between August and December, 2005, with a total of 387 school children interviewed and 217 urine samples analysed. This research employs the use ofquestionnaires, validation of questionnaires by urinalysis and the microscopic examination of the urine samples. The research is aimed at appreciating prevalent level of urinary schistosomiasis in Minnametropolis. The overall prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis, as confirmed by the presence of egg of Schistosoma haematobium was 12.9%, reported blood in the urine 34.4%, microhaematuria 52.5%,protenuria 32.7% and red blood cells 24.6%. The frequency of gross haematuria, and the degree of microhaematuria and proteinuria detectable by chemical reagent strips was observed to correlate withintensity of infection. The urinary schistosomiasis prevalence, confirmed by urine microscopy, of 12.9% in the selected school children within Minna, in spite its urban status, suggests that Minna is an endemic area, and the state requires an effective urinary schistosomiasis control programme. A major concern which represents a serious issue in the study includes the very poor level of awareness about the possible cause of urinary schistosomiasis or reported blood in the urine, as only 0.78% of the children have knowledge about the infection and 12% of the children that reported having blood in their urine have visited a health center