Abstract

This study was conducted to ascertain the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among school children in Bekwarra Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria. A total of 400 urine samples were collected from school children and examined for S. haematobium ova using sedimentation technique. Out of this, 118 (29.5%) children were found to be infected. Male children had high prevalence of infection than the female even though, the variation observed was not statistically significant (P0.05). It was observed that children whose parents were farmers recorded the highest prevalence of infection 95(37.1.0%). Also, it was observed in the study that there were various sources of water supply in the study area with children who depend solely on water from Rivers/Stream having the highest prevalence 87(35.4 %) while subjects who had access to Tap/Borehole water recorded the least prevalence of infection 10(15.6%) (P>0.05). furthermore, it was also observed that children who fish had the highest infection with S. haematobium 45(42.5%), followed by those who engage in irrigation and Rice farming 80(40.6%), while children that swim in water bodies recorded the least prevalence 61(30.5%). The prevalence recorded in this study area is moderate; it is therefore recommended that vulnerable groups such as school children should have access to regular screening and treatment for urinary schistosomiasis and appropriate prevention measures should be promoted within their communities.