VECTOR ABUNDANCE AND PREVALENCE OF SCHISTOSOMA INFECTIONS IN TWO IRRIGATION COMMUNITIES IN KURA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KANO STATE

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Date
2011-06
Authors
ALI, MAHMUD UMAR
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Abstract
Research studies were carried out on vector abundance and distribution in irrigation water canals and prevalence of human schistosomiasis in two communities, Dakasoye and Dorawar Sallau, located within an irrigated area in Kano State. Urine and stool samples were collected in a community-wide household survey and screened using sedimentation method, for the presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs, and formol-ether concentration method for the presence of Schistosoma mansonieggs. An overall prevalence of 32.8% and 16.8% were recorded for S. haematobium and S. mansoni infections, with young individuals of the age-groups 10-19 and 20-29 years having higher prevalence and intensity in both communities. However, infection intensities for both species do not differ significantly between the two communities at 5% level of significance. Sex-biased figures were also obtained, with males having higher prevalence and intensity than females in the two communities.Water-use practices were found to be associated with Schistosoma infections in both communities; Dakasoye ( 23,0.05 = 35.7), Dorawar Sallau ( 23,0.05 = 42.36). Results from questionnaire administration indicated lack of awareness of the respondents of the disease-water exposure association, with a statistically significant difference in levels in both communities. In the second phase of the work three snail species; Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Bulinus globosus and Bulinus rohlfsi were identified breeding in the irrigation water canal. The snails were examined for cercarial shedding and the prevalence of schistosome cercariae was 35.29% for B. globosus, 26.8% for B. rohlfsi and 19.70% for Biomphalaria pfeifferi; although no statistical difference in infection rates was found. Bulinids were observed to have higher cercarial loads, thus favouring higher prevalence of S. haematobium in the two communities. Water physical parameters such as surface water temperature, pH and water current were determined in relation to the spatial distribution and abundance of snail vectors. While water temperature was the major seasonal factor in snail abundance and infections, water current played significant impact on snail distribution along the main water canal and its earthen distributaries, while the pH remained indeterminate.
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A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES,AHMADU BELLOUNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTFOR THE AWARD OF MASTERS DEGREEIN ZOOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, FACULTY OF SCIENCE AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA NIGERIA
Keywords
VECTOR,, ABUNDANCE, PREVALENCE,, SCHISTOSOMA,, INFECTIONS,, IRRIGATION,, COMMUNITIES,, KURA,, LOCAL GOVERNMENT,, KANO STATE.
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