Socioeconomic and Prevalence of Urinary Schistosomiasis Infection in Riverine Areas of Ondo State, Nigeria

The prevalence and socioeconomic status of Urinary Schistosomiasis in the riverine areas of Ilaje Local Government in Ondo State, Nigeria was surveyed. This was done by examining people from five (5) selected villages in the area. A total of 2052 urine samples were collected and examined out of which 994 (representing 48.4% of the total population tested) were infected with Schistosoma haematobium parasite. The prevalence of infection was found to be high in Ode – mahin where 237 individuals were infected out of 454 examined; i.e. 52.2%, Ugbo – nla (49.9%), Orioke – Iwamimo (48.9%), Abe – Alala (45.9%), and the least was 44.5% from Maran. The overall prevalence of infection was significantly higher in males (553 infected cases out of 1030 examined. i.e. 53.7%) than in females (441 infected cases out of 1022 examined, representing 43.15%). Across different age groups (4-6; 7-9; and 10-12) the prevalence of infection was 39.2%, 53.8%, and 56.9% in males respectively. For the females the highest infection case was found in the age group 10 – 12 (56.9%), the age group 13 – 15 has 50.5% while the least prevalence was found in 4 – 6 (39.2%). There was a significant difference between the male and the female susceptibility to schistosomiasis in the study area. Furthermore, this study also shows the influence of parental occupation on the prevalence of schistosomiasis in the affected areas. Cases of infection were found to be higher amongst the children of fishermen when compared with those of other parental/father’s occupations. It is therefore recommended that more awareness program should be embarked upon especially in the rural communities on socioeconomic impact of schistomiasis. Periodic treatment regime should also be conducted in places where there is high prevalence of infection.