Prevalence of Urinary Schistosomiasis among Primary School Pupils in Kaiama Local Government Area, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background
Urinary schistosomiasis is still a disease of public health concern in most tropical regions particularly in Africa. A study was conducted among school pupils aged 5-14 years to determine the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis in Kaiama local government area of Kwara State, Nigeria from April to September, 2025.
Methods
Urine specimens were collected from 382 school pupils comprising 253 (66.2%) boys and 129 (33.8%) girls, then preserved in formalin and processed. Ten milliliter of the urine specimen collected was then filtered through 25µm Wire Mesh and the supernatants examined using a compound microscope for the characteristic eggs of Schistosoma haematobium and the intensity of the infection was defined by the number of eggs per the 10 ml of urine specimen.
Results
Altogether, 74 (19.4%) of the 382 pupils examined were positive for the characteristic eggs of S haematobium (p<0.05). This prevalence was also significantly higher (p<0.05) among boys (21.7%) as compared to girls (14.7%). The highest prevalence of infection (25.8%) was seen among pupils in the age group 5-7 years. The intensity of the infection ranges from light, moderate to heavy infection both in boys and girls.
Conclusions
This study shows that urinary schistosomiasis is endemic in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara state, North-central Nigeria. We recommend a consistent and sustainable Health Educational Programs (HEP) and Mass Drug Administration (MDA) as immediate public health interventions that will alleviate the suffering of the infected pupils in the communities and elsewhere.