PREVALENCE OF URINARY SCHISTOSOMIASIS AND SNAIL VECTOR INFECTIVITY ALONG RIVER KUBANNI IN ZARIA
PREVALENCE OF URINARY SCHISTOSOMIASIS AND SNAIL VECTOR INFECTIVITY ALONG RIVER KUBANNI IN ZARIA
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Date
2000-10
Authors
NALE, YAKUBU
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and intensity of Schistosoma
haematobium infection in two local communities and three primary schools situated near river Kubani. The seasonal occurrence and infcctivily of the snail intermediate hosts with schistosome ccrcanac were
also determined. Out of 1067 subjects (380 from (he communities and 687 school pupils) whose urine were screened parasilologically for S haematobium infection, 123 (11.6%) were found infected with an average egg counts of 77.7 eggs/ 10ml of urine. Prevalence was higher in males (19.4%) than in females (3.2%). Similarly, intensity was higher in males (86.6cggs/10ml urine) than in females (18.4 eggs/10ml urine). The difference in prevalence was found to be statistically significant (P<0.01). The peak
prevalence (29.2%) occurred in the 10 - 14 years age group. Analysis shows that this age group is responsible for 72% cont amination of the environment with chistosome ova. Intensity of infection was however, highest in the 15 19 years group who had a mean egg count of 108.3cggs/10ml of urine. Both prevalence and intensity of infection declined steadily with age after their peaks in the 10 - 14 and 15 - 19 years age groups respectively. Examination of children
from 3 primary schools situated near the river Kubani shows an infection rate of 10% and intensity of infection 111.28 eggs/10ml urine. Both prevalence and intensity of infection were higher in public primary schools than those of children in Islamic primary school. The local community based prevalence and intensity of infection among 380 subjects also showed a similar trend such that both prevalence and intensity of infections were higher in males than
in females (P<05). In males, both indices peaked in those aged 20 - 24 years while in females they were highest in the 10 - 14 years age group. This was discussed in relation to the duration of exposure
to infection. In a related development, the lack of infection in female aged 20 - 24 years was attributed
to observance of certain Islamic law (Puddah). Three different snail species were identified throughout the 12 months sampling period which include Bulinus spp, Bioniphalaria pfefferi and Limnae uataleiisis. A total of 4908 snails were
collected comprising of 51.1%. Bioniphalaria, 32.8%. bulinus and 16.1% Limnae. Snails population
1 density varied varied with season with peak collection between October and March. Seasonal trend of snail
infections however, only occurred in Biomphalaria and Limnae with higher infection occurring in the
dry season (November - March). Of the whole snails collected 445 (9.1%) were found to be shadding cercariae of human or animal trematodes. Biomphalaria recorded the highest number of schistosome
infection (7.8%) while only 0.6% of Bulinus habonred schistosome ccrcariae suggesting the
predominance of S.mansoni over S. haematobium in the study area. The public health significance of snail infection rate was also discussed.
Description
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.
Keywords
PREVALENCE, URINARY, SCHISTOSOMIASIS, SNAIL, VECTOR, INFECTIVITY, RIVER KUBANNI, ZARIA