# The burden of schistosomiasis among school-aged children in Ogoja, Nigeria: current level of infection years after mass drug administration with Praziquantel

## TL;DR

This study finds that schistosomiasis remains a public health issue among school-aged children in Nigeria despite drug administration efforts.

## Contribution

The study provides updated prevalence data and identifies risk factors for schistosomiasis in a specific Nigerian region.

## Key findings

- The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis among children was 9.7%.
- Lack of awareness about schistosomiasis and its causes was significantly associated with higher infection rates.
- Risk factors included swimming in open water and parental unemployment or lack of education.

## Abstract

Despite various chemotherapy efforts and national-level regulations implemented by the Nigerian government and health sector stakeholders, Schistosoma infections persist as a public health issue.

This study assessed schistosomiasis prevalence among school-aged children in Ogoja Local Government Area, Cross River State, and identified risk factors for the disease.

Urine and faecal samples were examined using microscopy involving centrifugation and Kato-Katz techniques respectively.

The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 9.7% (49/504). The prevalence of schistosomiasis was 10.8% and 8.7% among females and males, respectively. Schistosoma haematobium infection was higher in the 14-16 year age group (12.7%). Overall mean parasite load for urogenital schistosomiasis was 6.40 eggs/10 mL of urine and 36.00 eggs per gram (EPG) for intestinal schistosomiasis. Infection with schistosomiasis was higher among those who had not heard about schistosomiasis (17.8%) (p=0.000) and who did not know the cause of the infection (12.4%) (p=0.002). Swimming/bathing in open water (OR = 1.199), fetching water from streams/rivers (OR = 1.202), parents/guardians who had no formal education (OR = 2.722) and unemployment (OR = 2.904) were risk factors significantly associated with schistosomiasis (p P<0.05).

Although intensities of infections were generally low, prompt integrated control efforts are still required to lower helminth infection in the study area.