Abstract

Schistosomiasis remains a public health problem in several parts of the world particularly in Africa. In this study, 390 urine samples were collected and screened, using filtration technique, to determine the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis in Fikyu community, Ussa Local Government Area, Taraba State. Schistosoma haematobium eggs were found in 125 (32.05%). Chi square analysis shows that occurrence of the infection was not significantly associated with village, although the highest prevalence of infection was recorded in Kabkinra (42.86%), followed by Acha-nyim (38.24%), Kpakya (30.43%), Gafa (28.57%), Kabgbabaen (26.32%), with the least in Kabnyangsum (25.40%)(P = 0.316). There was however significant difference in mean egg intensity between the villages with the highest mean egg output observed for Kabnyansum village (4.63 eggs/10ml of urine) while the least for Acha-nyim (1.73 eggs/10ml)(P = 0.031). The infection rate was significantly (P = 0.009) highest among males (34.40%) than the females (29.07%). Similarly, the males had higher mean egg intensity of 2.76 eggs/10ml of urine compared to the females with 2.12 eggs/10ml urine, although the difference was statistically insignificant (P = 0.430). Risk factors of the infection in the study area include age, occupation, source of water, swimming, fetching of water and fishing. The findings of this study reveals that urinary schistosomiasis is prevalent in the study area, hence the need for an urgent intervention.