Prevalence of Schistosomiasis around Irrigation Schemes in the Benue River Valley, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a disease of which freshwater snails that act as intermediate host and some abiotic environmental factors plays prominent roles in these infections. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of schistosomiasis around irrigation schemes in the Benue River Valley, Yola area of Adamawa State. Plastic container (125 ml) was given to each participant the day before the sample collection. All urine samples collected were transported in ice packs to the Department of Zoology, Modibbo Adama University, Yola for analysis. Laboratory analysis was done using the centrifugation method. 10 ml of urine was centrifuged at 1,500 rpm for 5 minutes and the residue was examined under the ×10 objective of the microscope for the presence of terminal spine ova of S. haematobium. A total of 1,814 people consented and were examined for urinary schistosomiasis: 244 (13.45%) were infected, the distribution in relation to gender showed that males 163 (17.18%) had higher infection than females 91 (10.52%). The study showed evidence that having water contact was associated with infection in both children and adults in these communities.