International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN: 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2016): 79.57 | Impact Factor (2017): 7.296 Volume 7 Issue 12, December 2018 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Schistosomiasis among School Children Living in Endemic Communities Around Kwanar Areh Dam, Rimi Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria Usman, A.I. 1 , Abdulhamid Ahmed 2 , Adamu, T. 3 1, 2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, Katsina state, Nigeria 3 Department of Biological Sciences, UsmanuDanfodio University, Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria Abstract: Schistosomiasis remains a major threat to public health and it’s mostly prevalent in poor communities that have no access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and co-infection of intestinal and urinary schistosomiasis among schoolchildren living in communities around KwanarAreh Dam, Rimi L.G.A. of Katsina State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 288 schoolchildren, aged 4 – 15 years. Stool samples were collected and examined for the presence of Schistosomamansoni eggs using modified Kato Katz technique while the urine samples were examined using the filtration technique for the presence of S. haematobium eggs. Demographic and socioeconomic information of the participants was collected using questionnaires. The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 54.5%; with 16.7% and 37.8% infected with S. mansoni and S. haematobium, respectively, and 6.6% presenting co-infection with both species. Statistical analysis revealed that male gender (OR = 1.83; 95% CI; 1.06-3.14) and surface water contact (OR = 1.94; 95% CI= 1.16–3.27), were the significant risk factors associated with urinary schistosomiasis in the area (P<0.05). For intestinal schistosomiasis, only surface water contact (OR= 2.79; 95% CI= 1.29–6.02) was significant (P<0.05). Conclusively, this study revealed the prevalence of schistosomiasis in the study area. Access to safe water, appropriate personal hygiene and sanitation, snail control and health education on the possible transmission of the infection is therefore recommended. Timely reporting should also be encouraged at all levels to aid in planning and implementing preventive and control measures against the disease. Keywords: Schistosomahaematobium, Schistosomamansoni, KwanarAreh, Kato-Katz, Filtration 1. Introduction Schistosomiasis is one of the identified neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) of human public health concern. It is an acute and chronic parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (trematode worms) of the genus Schistosoma. Six different species infect humans, among which Schistosomahaematobium and S. mansoni are the predominant causes of the disease and both are prevalent in Nigeria [1]. It is the most prevalent water-borne disease with a very great risk on the health of rural populations [2]. According to a recent estimate by WHO [3], Schistosomiasis affects about 258 million people globally, of which about 236 million (97%) among the affected individuals live in Africa. The disease is most common in rural areas among the underprivileged people. It was earlier estimated that more than 600 million people are at risk of infection by the disease [4], [5], which is most prevalent in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Intestinal schistosomiasis caused by S. mansoni in Nigeria often result in abdominal pain, diarrhoea and blood in the stool. Higher complications include hepatomegaly associated with periportal liver fibrosis, portal hypertension, and hematemesis [6], [7]. Urinary schistosomiasis on the other hand which is caused by S. haematobium presents with haematuria (blood in urine), dysuria, bladder polyps and ulcer, as well as suprapubic discomfort. Other complications have been explained previously [6], [8] - [10]. Nigeria is one of the highly endemic countries with an estimated 101.3 million people at risk of infection and 29 million of the people being already infected with the disease [11] – [13]. Cases of schistosomiasis have been reported from various parts of Katsina state [14] – [17]. According to the data obtained from a recent epidemiological survey conducted by the Federal Ministry of Health among nineteen states that are endemic for Schistosomiasis in Nigeria, Katsina state is ranked 10 th in terms of morbidity due to the disease [18]. However, published data on the status of Schistosomal infections in many communities within the state are still scanty. The World Health Organization stressed the need to strengthen monitoring and evaluation of schistosomiasis, as well as timely reporting at all levels [3]. Hence, there is the need for updated information on the extent and severity of the disease in communities at risk, as well as the factors associated with the transmission of the disease within the communities. This study is therefore designed to assess the status of schistosomiasis among schoolchildren in communities near Areh Dam, RimiLGA, Katsina State Nigeria, to serve as a guide in the planning and implementation of preventive and control measures against the disease in the area. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1 Study area The study was conducted among schoolchildren living in communities around KwanarAreh dam in RimiLGA of Katsina State, Nigeria. It is located on Latitude 12 o 46’N and Paper ID: ART20191756 10.21275/ART20191756 758