Prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection in school aged children of Konduga Local Government Area, Northeastern Nigeria

Abstract

A study on the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection in school aged children of Konduga Local Government Area of northeastern Nigeria was conducted between the month of May and December, 2004.  A total of four hundred and ninety four children selected randomly from thirteen primary schools within the local government area revealed an overall prevalence of 120 (24.3%) with 95 (79.2%) as male and 25(20.8%) as female (p<0.05). Prevalence was also noted to be higher among age groups between >13 and 15 years with 60 (50.0%) compared to age groups of 7-10 years with 15 (12.5%) and >10-13 years with 45(37. 5%) (p<0.05).  Infection was generally commonly higher during the raining periods of the study with a peak in August indicating 39.6% followed by September with 38.7%.