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