title: Comparative analysis of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school children and rural farmers in Obollo-Eke, Enugu State, Nigeria: implications for control.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence, sex-age related intensity of urinary schistosomiasis and to compare such parameters among rural school children and rural farmers in selected communities in Obollo-Eke located in Southeast, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey involving 1 337 school children and farmers was conducted in Obollo-Eke community between September 2006 and July 2007. Demographic data of subjects was collected using a questionnaire prepared for this purpose. Urine samples were collected and examined for haematuria and ova of Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) using Medi-test Combi 9 and sedimentation technique respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis based on microscopic examination of the urine sediment for the ova of S. haematobium was 17.5% while the prevalence of haematuria was 15.6%. Infection intensity varied from light to heavy. In general, the prevalence was higher among males (20.8%) than females (14.6%; P>0.05) and was slightly higher among primary school children (18.0%; n=762) than farmers (16.9%; n=575; P>0.05). The age-specific prevalence of schistosomiasis among the study subjects ranged from 8.3% to 21.2% in 0-5 years and 11-15 years age groups respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Haematuria and mean egg/10 mL urine (r = 0.95; P<0.01) showed that both procedures are reliable for the diagnosis of the disease and can be used to ascertain the prevalence of the disease in any community. The comparative analysis of urinary bilharziasis among primary school children and rural farmers demonstrated that the infection is moderately high in these two risk population groups at Obollo-Eke. A robust intervention strategy is clearly needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Celestine Chidi
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Ogbonna
authors.forename: Geme Urge
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Dori
authors.forename: Emeka Innocent
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Nweze
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Muoneke
authors.forename: Innocent Ejike
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Nwankwo
authors.forename: Nkiru
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akputa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000383:Agriculture; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000652:urine*; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014556:Urine / Q000469:parasitology*; D014881:Water Supply; D055815:Young Adult