Large scale irrigation scheme and the increase in the incidence of schistosomiasis: The situation in the Lake Chad Basin

Abstract

This investigation was carried out in theChadBasinas a result of the establishment of large scale irrigation scheme by theChadBasinand Rural Development Authority,Maiduguriand the Lake Chad Research Institute,Maiduguriaround 1978. The study involved the collection of pre-irrigation clinical data and the survey of school children in theChadBasin. The socio-economic interactions of the human population with the irrigation system were also studied. The clinical data showed an increase in the percentage incidence of schistosomiasis from almost 0.0% before irrigation (1975-1977). The survey of school children during the large scale irrigation stage (1981-1982) revealed a percentage incidence of 19.70 which is apparently high.