title: Urinary schistosomiasis among school children in an endemic community in south-eastern Nigeria.
abstract: Studies were carried out on urinary schistosomiasis among school children aged 6 to 21 in Abia State, Nigeria. Of the total 1,165 children examined for eggs of S. haematobium in their urine, 245 (21.03%) were infected. Male children had significantly (P < 0.05) higher infection (64.08%) than their female counterparts (35.92%). Age-related infection rate showed significant difference (P < 0.05) with the highest infection rate (46.94%) recorded among children between the ages of 12 and 14 years. As with infection rate, the intensity of infection was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in males (35.50 eggs/10 ml urine) then in females (28.73 eggs/10 ml urine). 4 (1.63%) of the infected individuals had heavy infection (400 eggs/10 ml urine). There was a gradual increase of mean egg count with age up to 12-14 years after which there was a decrease. Viability test showed that of the 245 children infected 151 (61.63%) had viable eggs in their urine sample. The number of males with viable eggs (62.25%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the females (37.74%). Also in the number of infected individuals with viable eggs a significant difference among age groups was observed. It was significantly higher (P < 0.05) among the age group 12-14 years than in any other group. Among the infected children 38 (15.51%) had haematuria (which represents 95% of the 41 individuals with trace of blood in their urine). There was a significant association (P < 0.05) between haematuria and infection rate/intensity.
authors.affiliation: Medical Entomology & Parasitology Unit, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.
authors.forename: F O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Nduka
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ajaero
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Nwoke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006417:Hematuria / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D012424:Rural Population; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000652:urine; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors