Urinary schistosomiasis is a common
public health problem in the world caused by infection with Schistosoma
haematobium [1]. Individuals may acquire the disease during contact with
water containing cercaria of the parasite [2]. S. haematobium is
responsible for majority of deaths due to schistosomiasis in the world
[3]. The disease is particularly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa where
it is estimated to affect 112 million people [3,4]
S. haematobium infection causes
haematuria, dysuria, lesions of the bladder, kidney failure, bladder
cancer, [5–9]. Infection also interferes with nutrient uptake and can
lead to undernutrition, growth and cognitive development retardation,
and pose a serious threat to children’s health, education and
productivity [10–13]. The disease is responsible for the death of
150,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa annually due to infection-related
bladder problems [3,4].
Urinary Schistosomiasis also called
Bilharzias is a parasitic disease caused by a digenetic blood
fluke of the genus Schistosoma called Schistosoma haematobium.
The disease is the second most prevalent neglected tropical
diseases after hookworm (Hottez and Kamath, 2009) and remains
an important public health problem globally especially in the
Sub-Saharan African. Of the world’s 207 million estimated cases
of Schistosomiasis, 93% occur in the Sub-Saharan Africa (192
million) with largest number (29 million) in Nigeria followed
by United Republic of Tanzania (19million) (Hottez and Kamath,
2009). Although Schistosoma haematobium infection do not always
result in clinical diseases and many infections are
asymptomatic, S. haematobium infection is said to produce
bladder wall pathology in approximately 18million people in
Sub-Saharan African and 10million *Corresponding Author Email;
ishalekudavid@roketmail.com people suffer from hydronephrosis and
renal failure (Van der Werf et al., 2003). A significant
percentage of women and men with urinary Schistosomiasis acquire
genital ulcers and other lesions (Kjetland et al., 2006). Poor
reproductive health including sexual dysfunction and infertility
[4].Genital Schistosomiasis has also been incriminated to promote
horizontal transmission of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan African
(Kjetland et al., 2006). In addition to the organ-specific
pathology for S. haematobium infections, there is also an
increasing evidence for more generalized morbidity resulting from
chronic inflammation of these long-standing infections (Kjetland
et al 2006, King et al., 2005). The most important are
anaemia of chronic inflammation and iron deficiency anaemia,
growth stunting and malnutrition among children, fatigue and
diminished physical fitness and impaired cognitive developments
among school children (Kjetland et al 2006, King et al., 2005).
There are several factors contributing to the high rate of
Schistosoma haematobium infection in developing countries. Among these
are; extreme poverty, lack of knowledge of the risks, inadequate or
total lack of health facilities and poor sanitary conditions in which
they lead daily(Hottez and Kamath, 2009, Uneke et al., 2010).
1.2 Problem Statement
S. haematobium infection causes
haematuria, dysuria, lesions of the bladder, kidney failure, bladder
cancer, [5–9]. Infection also interferes with nutrient uptake and can
lead to undernutrition, growth and cognitive development retardation,
and pose a serious threat to children’s health, education and
productivity [10–13]. Hence there is need to assess its prevalence among
school children.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The major objective of the study is the prevalence of Schistosoma heamatobium among school children.
1.4 Research Question
(1) what is S. heamatobium?
(2) How is it contacted ?
(3) what is its prevalence in the population?
(4) why the need to know its prevalence among school children?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This study gives a clear insight into
the prevalence of Schistosoma heamatobium among school children. The
findings of this research will serve as a preliminary study to help the
concerned authorities know which age group among the children is at
higher risk of Schistosoma heamatobium.
1.6 Scope of the study
The research focuses on the prevalence of Schistosoma heamatobium among school children.
1.7 Limitations
Samples were collected from children in
selected schools and there was difficulty experienced in collecting the
samples because they felt reluctant to give their urine.
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