PREVALENCE OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS AMONG RICE FARMING COMMUNITIES OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA.
PREVALENCE OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS AMONG RICE FARMING COMMUNITIES OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA.
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Date
1996-03
Authors
AHMODU, OPALUWA SARAJA
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Abstract
A parasitological survey of schistosomiasis in 8 - rice farming communities in Niger State
Nigeria, was undertaken. A combination of the Alteration and reagent strip technique were used for the urine samples and the modified Quick-Kato technique for the stool samples was employed. Children up to 21 years of age were involved. Seventy - two (9%) of the 835 subjects examined had urinary schistosomiasis. This comprised 51 (6%) males and 21 (3%) females. 31 (4%) had intestinal schistosomiasis of which 23 (5%) were males and 8(2%) were females. Of the 5(1%) of the subjects who had both infections, 2(1%) showed S. mansoni ova
in mixed infection in the urine. 490(59%) of the subjects haboured one or more intestinal
parasites besides S. mansoni while 7(1%) had myiasis. Males were more infected than females but intensity was generally higher in females than males. The peak of infection was found in the age group 11-15 years while the highest intensity was found in the age group 6-10 years for S. haematobium and 11-15 years for S. mansoni. At age group of peak intensity of S. haematobium, the mean egg load 10ml of urine for females was 82 eggs while that for males was 47 eggs. Similarly, at age group of peak intensity of S. mansoni. the mean egg load/ gram of faeces was 290 eggs for females and 217 eggs for males. Though proteinuria correlated
positively with level of infection for positve cases, haematuria had a higher predictive value and was thus considered overall better indicator. The weed. Oncomelina bractcosa and Banana lants growing along the irrigation cannals provided the ecological cover for the three snail types (Bulinus truncalus. Biomphalaria pfeifieri and Lvmnaea truncatus) found associated with transmission while bathing, laundry, bad hygiene, agricultural practices and fetching of water for domestic activities constituted the major risk factors responsible for human contact.
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A thesis submitted to the Postgraduate School, Ahmadu Bello University, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Microbiology March,
Keywords
PREVALENCE, SCHISTOSOMIASIS, AMONG, RICE, FARMING, COMMUNITIES, NIGER STATE,, NIGERIA.