Schistosoma haematobium infections in two rural communities of Edo State, Nigeria.

ABSTRACT

An epidemiological study of 1,136 inhabitants from two rural communities in Owan East local government area of Edo State, Nigeria was investigated to ascertain the prevalence, intensities and urinary symptoms in Schistosoma haematobium infections. In both communities, 371 (32.6%) of the villagers screened, excreted S. haematobium with a mean of 40.1 ova per 10 ml of their urine. The pattern of infection was highest among the school children, moderate among the farmers and least among the civil servants. The sensitivities of their urinary symptoms associated with this parasitic infection in these communities are 78.7% hematuria, 71.9% proteinuria, 70.4% supra public pain/discomforts and 59.6% dysuria. These foci of infections will broaden the epidemiological picture of urinary schistosomiasis in this part of the globe.