Abstract:
This study was on mapping of urinary schistosomiasis in Anambra State. A total of 450 urine samples collected from 9 Local Government Areas of the three senatorial zones of the State were examined for haematuria and S. haematobium eggs. The urine samples were examined for haematuria using dipstick (Combi 9) and then centrifuged and the sediments examined under the microscope for the presence of S. haematobium eggs. Overall prevalence of infection in the study was 2.9% and 6.8% for microscopy and haematuria respectively. Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis infection was significantly different between the districts (p<0.05). Highest prevalence of infection (7.9%) was in Anambra West (6.364ºE, 6.816ºN). Apart from Idemili North (6.133ºE, 6.887ºN), Awka South (6.216ºE. 7.059ºN), Ihiala (5.839ºE, 6.858ºN) and Ekwusigo (6.031ºE, 6.845ºN) Local Government Areas where no infection was found; Ayamelu (6.522ºE, 6.928ºN) had the least prevalence (2.4%) among the communities infected. Prevalence of urinary schistosoma ova in males and females were not significantly different (p>0.05). For haematuria, infection was higher in females (6.3%) than in males (4.9%) but their difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Prevalence also varied significantly between the various age groups (p<0.05) with peak infection occurring among persons aged 31 to 40 years while haematuria showed no statistical difference between the age groups (p> 0.05). There was a close association between haematuria and the presence of eggs of S. haematobium in the urine. A total of 367 participants responded to the questionnaires. Based on the questionnaires, the following were the major risk factors for haematuria; fishing (Odd Ratio (OR) =19.188, 95% Confidence Interval (C.I.) = 7.794, 47.238, p<0.05), frequent visit to water body (OR=15.506, 95% C.I. = 5.935, 40.509, p<0.05) and nearness to water body (OR=15.048, 95% C.I. = 6.234, 36.324, p<0.05). For microscopy the following were the major risk factors for infection: washing (OR=57.639, 95% C.I. = 7.357, 451.585, p<0.05), nearness to water body (OR=29.444, 95% C.I. = 7.745, 111.939, p<0.05), swimming (OR=24.939, 95% C.I. = 3.204, 194.129, p<0.05), fishing (OR=19.875, 95% C.I. = 5.826, 67.806, p<0.05). Prevalence of S. haematobium infection had a positive linear relationship with distance to water body (r = -0.767, p < 0.05). Mapping of the area showed that the district at a greater risk for the infection was Anambra North and the community at the greatest risk was Umueze-Anam located at 6.364 ᵒE, 6.816 ᵒN since it is the closest to the water body at a distance of 1.2166km. Generally, from this study on mapping of urinary schistosomiaisis in Anambra State, the prevalence of infection was low. These findings indicate that the area is still endemic to urinary schistosomiasis and therefore intervention in the form of health education and provision of portable drinking water is needed.