Urinary schistosomiasis: Water contact frequency and infectivity among school aged pupil/students in Umukabia Community of Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria

A study was conducted among 108 students and pupils of four selected schools in Umukabia Community in Ehime Mbano local government area of Imo State, Nigeria using their activities at Efuru and Okparadibia streams. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information on water contact frequency and aetiology of the disease. Schistosoma haematobium ova detection was achieved by the microscopy. Results revealed that there was no significant difference in prevalence of S. haematobium between the students and pupils of the schools but there was a significant difference in prevalence of the infection among the males and females. It is therefore recommended that boreholes should be sunk in the community, the streams be treated with mullucides to reduce the snail population, and recreational facilities be provided in schools to dissuade children from going to play in infected streams. Finally, health awareness seminar should be intensified to create awareness of the mode of transmission of the parasite. Key words: Schistosomiasis, water contact, mullucides.