Schistosomiasis among School Children Living in Endemic Communities Around Kwanar Areh Dam, Rimi Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria

Schistosomiasis remains a major threat to public health and its mostly prevalent in poor communities that have no access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and co-infection of intestinal and urinary schistosomiasis among schoolchildren living in communities around Kwanar Areh Dam, Rimi L. G. A. of Katsina State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 288 schoolchildren, aged 4 15 years. Stool samples were collected and examined for the presence of Schistosoma mansoni eggs using modified Kato Katz technique while the urine samples were examined using the filtration technique for the presence of S. haematobium eggs. Demographic and socioeconomic information of the participants was collected using questionnaires. The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 54.5 %; with 16.7 % and 37.8 % infected with S. mansoni and S. haematobium, respectively, and 6.6 % presenting co-infection with both species. Statistical analysis revealed that male gender (OR = 1.83; 95 % CI; 1.06-3.14) and surface water contact (OR = 1.94; 95 % CI= 1.163.27), were the significant risk factors associated with urinary schistosomiasis in the area (P