Schistosomiasis among primary school pupils in Pilgani Distric, Langtang North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria

Schistosomiasis caused chronic infection which can affect all aspects of a person’s health and learning especially among school children. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of schistosomiasis among school children in Pilgani District, Langtang North LGA, Plateau State. Two prelabeled specimen bottles were given to each school pupil for stool and urine samples collection. The stool samples were prepared using formal-ether concentration technique and examined for Schistosoma mansoni while the urine samples were centrifuged and the deposits was examined for S. haematobium. Reagent strips were used to detect microhaematuria and proteinuria in the urine samples. Out of the 284 school pupils examined, 70 (24.65 %) were infected among which 56(31.83 %) were males and 14 (12.96 %) were females. The age group 15 – 16 had the highest infection (38.89 %) while children within age group 5 – 6 had the least infection (11. 76 %). Pupils that used streams as their source of water had the highest infection but no infection was recorded among children using borehole water. There was significant (P<0.05) difference in the prevalence of the disease according to age, sex and sources of water used. The presence of microhaematuria and proteinuria was recorded in 21.13 % and 16. 20 % respectively of the pupils examined. Inadequate numbers of latrines with bad sanitation were the main risk factors associated with the disease transmission. A control program to decrease the prevalence and intensity should be implemented in this area to improve health status of the community.