Integrated control of river and pond water as an exposure source to urogenital schistosomiasis of rural inhabitants in southern Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the infection level and behavioural factors exposing rural inhabitants to urogenital schistosomiasis in Takum Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria. Filtration technique determined Schistosoma haematobium eggs from urine samples. Questionnaires collected socio-demographic characteristics and ponds/rivers/streams’ behavioural attitudes of participants. An infection of 41.1% was found. Sufa significantly had the highest infection (62.5%) (χ2 = 32.34, p = 0.001) as well as the age groups 1–10 years (47.2%) and 11–20 years (49.6%) (χ2 = 33.83, p = 0.001). Participants with non-formal education and farmers, respectively, had higher infection (45.7%) (χ2 = 12.08, p = 0.001) and (48.5%) (χ2 = 5.42, p = 0.020). Inhabitants who played in ponds/rivers/streams during dry season as well as those with non-formal education and farmers were more predisposed to infection with respective crude odds ratio (cOR) of 0.92 (%95CI: 0.81–1.50; p = 0.043), 0.55 (%95CI: 0.38–0.77; p = 0.001) and 0.80 (%95CI: 0.33–1.41; p = 0.002). Inhabitants were infected according to their wards as well as their age groups, education level, occupation level and behavioural activities. The federal and state governments should embark on public health education and control of the disease. HIGHLIGHTS First epidemiological study in Takum Local Government reporting the vulnerabilty of rural inhabitants to river and pond water sources.; Water activities like farming of rice, playing and washing in ponds/streams/rivers exposed inhabitants to urogenital schistosomiasis.; Deterioration of bore-holes and absence of pipe-borne potable water motivated and mandated rural inhabitants to riverine and pond activities.;

Keywords

• inhabitants
• risk
• riverine
• rural
• schistosomiasis
• urogenital