title: Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among school children in a rural community in South-South, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Schistosomiasis is a major health problems in tropical Africa with school age children being most affected. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of the disease among primary and secondary school children in a rural community in Edo State.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional study was carried out in a rural community in Etsako West local government area of Edo state. Respondents included all primary and secondary school students in the community. A structured administered questionnaire and urine microscopy were used for data collection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Twenty-four percent of subjects reported passing blood in urine out of which 10.9% had ever sought medical attention for the haematuria. The overall prevalence of urinary Schistosomiasis, as confirmed by the presence of eggs of Schistosoma haematobium was 10.7% with males being almost 3 times as many as the affected females; 32 (74.4%) versus 11(25.6%). Prevalence of microhaematuria was 4.96 %, and protenuria 7.94% . There is need for an urgent mapping of communities served by the infested stream, as well as enlightenment campaigns to educate the rural populace on the disease and it's complications.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Tobin
authors.forename: G U
authors.initials: GU
authors.lastname: Eze
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Isah
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Okojie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000652:urine; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data