Intestinal schistosomiasis among some inhabitants of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Central Nigeria

Abstract

Human schistosomiasis is endemic and still remains a public health problem in Nigeria.
Most reported cases of the disease have focused mainly on the urinary form with the
intestinal form less reported. Thus, 600 fresh stool samples from consenting individu-
als in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, an endemic foci of schistosomiasis,
were collected and assayed for the presence of Schistosoma mansoni eggs by the saline
thick stool smear technique. Prevalence of infection between ages and gender was tested
using chi-square while one-way analysis of variance was used in analyzing data relating to
the occupation. Association between infection and occupation was assessed by the inde-
pendent student t-test. Infection was significantly higher in younger than older individu-
als (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in infection between gender. However,
there was a significant association between infection and occupation of volunteers
(p < 0.05). Freshwater snails occurring in the area were sampled using a scoop net and a pair
of forceps. Three snail species, namely Bulinus globosus, Biomphalaria pfeifferi, and Lymnaea
natalensis were encountered. Bulinus and Biomphalaria snails shed schistosome cercariae
while Lymnaea snails were not infected. Intestinal schistosomiasis is, therefore, also endemic
in Bassa Local Government Area. Interventions by way of chemotherapy and mass awareness
by Government and other Health Care givers are recommended to forestall the spread of
infection to other areas and curb the socio-economic and public health consequences.