PREVALENCE OF SCHISTOSOMA HEAMATOBIUM AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN

Urinary schistosomiasis is a common public health problem in the world caused by infection with Schistosoma haematobium [1]. Individuals may acquire the disease during contact with water containing cercaria of the parasite [2]. S. haematobium is responsible for majority of deaths due to schistosomiasis in the world [3]. The disease is particularly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa where it is estimated to affect 112 million people [3,4]

 

S. haematobium infection causes haematuria, dysuria, lesions of the bladder, kidney failure, bladder cancer, [5–9]. Infection also interferes with nutrient uptake and can lead to undernutrition, growth and cognitive development retardation, and pose a serious threat to children’s health, education and productivity [10–13]. The disease is responsible for the death of 150,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa annually due to infection-related bladder problems [3,4].

Urinary  Schistosomiasis  also  called  Bilharzias  is  a parasitic  disease  caused  by  a  digenetic  blood  fluke  of  the genus  Schistosoma  called  Schistosoma  haematobium. The  disease  is  the  second  most  prevalent  neglected tropical  diseases  after  hookworm  (Hottez  and  Kamath, 2009)  and  remains  an  important  public  health  problem globally  especially  in  the  Sub-Saharan  African.  Of  the world’s  207  million  estimated  cases  of  Schistosomiasis, 93%  occur  in  the  Sub-Saharan  Africa  (192  million)  with largest  number  (29  million)  in  Nigeria  followed  by  United Republic  of  Tanzania  (19million)  (Hottez  and  Kamath, 2009).  Although  Schistosoma  haematobium  infection  do not  always  result  in  clinical  diseases  and  many  infections are  asymptomatic,  S.  haematobium  infection  is  said  to produce  bladder  wall  pathology  in  approximately 18million  people  in  Sub-Saharan  African  and  10million   *Corresponding  Author Email;  [email protected] people  suffer  from  hydronephrosis  and  renal  failure  (Van der  Werf  et  al.,  2003).  A  significant  percentage  of  women and  men  with  urinary  Schistosomiasis  acquire  genital ulcers  and  other  lesions  (Kjetland  et  al.,  2006).  Poor reproductive  health  including  sexual  dysfunction  and infertility  [4].Genital  Schistosomiasis  has  also  been incriminated  to  promote  horizontal  transmission  of HIV/AIDS  in Sub-Saharan  African  (Kjetland  et  al.,  2006).   In  addition  to  the  organ-specific  pathology  for  S. haematobium  infections,  there  is  also  an  increasing evidence  for  more  generalized  morbidity  resulting  from chronic  inflammation  of  these  long-standing  infections (Kjetland  et  al  2006,  King  et  al.,  2005).  The  most important  are  anaemia  of  chronic  inflammation  and  iron deficiency  anaemia,  growth  stunting  and  malnutrition among  children,  fatigue  and  diminished  physical  fitness and  impaired  cognitive  developments  among  school children  (Kjetland  et al  2006,  King  et  al.,  2005). There are several  factors  contributing  to  the high rate  of Schistosoma  haematobium  infection in developing countries. Among these are; extreme poverty, lack of knowledge of the risks, inadequate or total lack of health facilities and poor sanitary conditions in which they lead daily(Hottez and Kamath, 2009, Uneke et al., 2010).

1.2 Problem Statement

S. haematobium infection causes haematuria, dysuria, lesions of the bladder, kidney failure, bladder cancer, [5–9]. Infection also interferes with nutrient uptake and can lead to undernutrition, growth and cognitive development retardation, and pose a serious threat to children’s health, education and productivity [10–13]. Hence there is need to assess its prevalence among school children.

 

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The major objective of the study is the prevalence of Schistosoma heamatobium among school children.

 

1.4 Research Question

(1) what is S. heamatobium?

(2) How is it contacted ?

(3) what is its prevalence in the population?

(4) why the need to know its prevalence among school children?

 

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study gives a clear insight into the prevalence of Schistosoma heamatobium among school children. The findings of this research will serve as a preliminary study to help the concerned authorities know which age group among the children is at higher risk of Schistosoma heamatobium.

 

1.6 Scope of the study

The research focuses on the prevalence of Schistosoma heamatobium among school children.

 

1.7 Limitations

Samples were collected from children in selected schools and there was difficulty experienced in collecting the samples because they felt reluctant to give their urine.

 

REFERENCES

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