A Cross-sectional Study on Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Children; Haematuria and Proteinuria as Diagnostic Indicators in an Endemic Rural Area of Nigeria

8 PAGES (3798 WORDS) Microbiology Article/Essay

Abstract

Background: Rapid and accurate diagnosis is necessary for the management of  schistosomiasis in endemic areas.
Objective: To assess the burden of  urogenital schistosomiasis and the diagnostic efficiency of  morbidity indicators of  the disease in an endemic rural community of  Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted. Urine samples of  487 pupils were screened microscopically for S. haematobium and tested for haematuria and proteinuria using chemical reagent strips.
Results: The prevalence and intensity of  infection were 57.1% and 45.0 eggs/10 mL urine respectively. Prevalence of infection in male (54.1%) and female (60.3%) individuals showed no significant variation (P>0.05). However, prevalence of  infection was age dependent with those in age groups 3-5 and 12-14 years having the least and highest prevalence of infection respectively (P