Urinary Schistosomiasis among inhabitants of Aluu, rivers state, Nigeria

Abstract

The investigation of Urinary Schistosomiasis was carried out in Aluu community in Rivers State, Nigeria. This was because of the lifestyle of the inhabitants who are mostly farmers and fishermen. A total of 1,500 individuals was sampled from the seven quarters of the community made up of 755(50.3%) males and 745(49.7%) females. Urine samples were collected from the consented individuals in pre -numbered, screw capped bottles, between 10.00 am to 1.30 pm. 10 ml of each sample was centrifuged for parasitological examination. The overall infection recorded from the investigation was 2.0%. In the community related infection, the following was recorded, Mbodo (1.3%) and Omahunwo (0.7%) while other communities had no infection. The infection was found to be sex dependent that is all the positive results recorded were males, 30(2.0%). According to age specific infection, the results were 40 – 49(1.7%) and 50 – 59(0.3%) respectively. The occupational assessment of the infection stood as, fishermen (1.47%) and farmers (0.53%). Aluu community, though recorded low infection rate, requires prompt treatment of the infected few to avoid subsequent spread to healthy areas.