URINARY SCHISTOSOMIASIS AMONG CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS NEAR OYAN DAM, ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA SAMMY OLUFEMI SAM-WOBO,1 JOKE MUJIDAT IDOWU1 and MONSURU

Objectives: Studies were carried out to determine the status of urinary schistosomiasis among pre-school and school-aged children in three communities around Oyan dam, South Western Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2009. Urine samples were collected and investigated for the presence of microhaematuria using the Medi-Test Combi 9 reagent strip. Urine was also microscopically examined. Results: Of 120 urine samples collected at Ibaro-Oyan, Abule Titun and Abule Sikiru communities, both Medi-Test Combi 9 reagent strip and microscopy revealed prevalences were 66.7% (95% confidence interval: 57.5 to 75.0) and 71.7% (95%-CI: 62.7 to 79.5), respectively. There was no significant difference in infection rates between sexes, although rates were slightly higher in females. Overall, infection rates increased with age (microhaematuria: p=0.030; S. haematobium eggs: p=0.006). Conclusions: The results indicate that the communities around Oyan dam were still endemic with schistosomiasis and that there is an urgent need for mass drug distribution and public health education in curbing the disease in the study area. Moreover, the provision of basic public health facilities such as functional boreholes, electricity and a reliable waste disposal system is likely to decrease prevalence of schistosomiasis in the study area.