Prevalence of Schistosomiasis among Basic School Children in Assalaya Campus - White Nile State

Abstract

This study was carried out among basic school children at Assalaya Campus White Nile state during the period December 2008 to January 2009. The main objective of the study is to measure the prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis infection in Assalaya campus and to determine the most affected age group and to access the environmental factors that influence the spread of the disease. To conduct the study 447 basic school pupils were selected from seven basic schools. The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was found to be 40.5%. The prevalence of S. haematobium was found to be 21% with mean of 50 egg per 10 ml of urine and the prevalence of S. mansoni was found to be 19% with mean of 100 egg per gram of faeces. The prevalence of schistosomiasis was found to be high in males than females and the most affected age group was (10-15) years. Bad sanitation and lack of healthy drinking water and inadequate number of latrines were the main causes of the disease transmission. Some recommendations were proposed to minimize the incidence of the disease.