Abstract:
Schistosomiasis (Bilharziasis) is water borne parasitic disease caused by a blood fluke
(trematode) of the genus Schistosoma. Adult schistosome worms live in mammalian host and the
intermediate host is aquatic snail. Schistosomiasis ranks second to malaria in terms of prevalence
and persistence with grave public health and socio-economic importance in endemic
communities. This study assessed the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among students of
five selected secondary schools in Ifedore Local Government of Ondo State. A total of four
hundred and thirteen (413) students urine samples were examined for eggs of Schistosoma and
57 students (13.8%) excreted eggs of S. haematobium in their urine. There was no significant
difference (P > 0.05) in the prevalence of urinary infection between genders. Meanwhile, the
prevalence of haematuria was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in male (22.7%) than the female
gender (14.4%). The highest prevalence was observed among age group 16 – 18 years (21.7%)
while the least prevalence was observed in age group 10 – 12 years (11.5%). The study
confirmed the prevalence of S. haematobium in the study area. It is therefore recommended that
water control, sanitation and snails elimination as well as community-based programs are
urgently needed to reduce the prevalent of urinary schistosomiasis in the study area.
