ABSTRACT

A study was carried out to investigate and identify population responsible for the potential contamination of Schistosoma heamatobium in Afikpo North L. G. A Ebonyi State. Urine samples of 1,010 subjects living in Afikpo North L. G. A Ebonyi State, Nigeria were screened in order to determine the prevalence of infection, intensity of infection and index of potential contamination (IPC for urinaiy schistosomiasis. Altogether 50 (5.0%) persons were found infected and the intensity of infection among those infected was 48 eggs! lOmi of urine. Prevalence in males 33 (5.48%) was higher than in femRles 17 (4.17%). Intensity of infection in males (30 eggs! lOmi) urine is higher than in female 18 (eggs/ lOmi) urine though with no statistical significant. (X2 = 0.3123, P>0.05). Both prevalence and intensity of infection were highest in age group 10 -l4years for both males and females. There was no significant asociation in prevalence between the age group and sex of subjects X=0.346, p>O.05). Children between the ages of 10-19 years contributed about 69% of the daily egg output into the environment. Consequently, they were responsible for 82% of environmental contamination. The 10- 14 years olds, which constituted of 44% of infected population, ranked highest among the age group by contributing 56.4% to contamination of environment. Recommended appropriate strategies for control include mass chemotherapy and intensive health education, in order to reduce the high rate of transmission and contamination of environment.