Abstract

Urinary Schistosomiasis study was conducted to determine its prevalence and intensity among the inhabitants of selected villages around Gusau Dam site, in Gusau Local Government Area, Zamfara State. A total of five hundred (500) urine samples were examined for the eggs of Schistosoma haematobium using standard filtration technique. The overall prevalence was 47%. However, the prevalence of the infection by occupation of the people recorded highest among farmers (53.18%), followed by other groups. A chi-square analysis showed significant difference (X2 = 16.047; df = 5; P < 0.01) between the different groups of occupation of the people with respect to the prevalence of infection. Similarly, the highest prevalence of the infection recorded in those group that, their water contact activities is through farming (59.1196), followed by other groups. A significant difference (X 2 =15.678; df = 6; P< 0.05) with respect to water conract activities related prevalence was established by chi-square analysis. The overall mean intensity of 237.94 eggs/10 ml of urine was discovered from the study. However, the mean intensity of infection by occupation of the people was found to be highest with 335.71 eggs/10ml of urine in students than that of other groups. Whereby, the mean intensity of infection by water contact activities of the people was discovered highest with 317.55 eggs/10 ml of urine in those groups who visit the river for swimming, followed by other groups. The results of this study revealed that, the study area is endemic in terms of urinary schistosomiasis and that occupations and water contact activities were some of the factors that determined the prevalence and intensity of the infection, therefore, there is the need for government's intervention to effectively prevent/control The disease in the area.

Key words: Urinary, schistosomiasis, occupation, water contact, Gusau