PREVALENCE OF S. HAEMATOBIUM INFECTION AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING HENALD MEDICAL CENTER AND ALPHA HOSPITAL, NASARAWA

PREVALENCE OF S. HAEMATOBIUM INFECTION AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING HENALD MEDICAL CENTER AND ALPHA HOSPITAL, NASARAWA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Schistosoma haematobium is a causative agent of urinary schistosomiasis also called Bilharzia named after a young German parasitologist therefore Bilherz, who first identified the parasite during autopsy in Egypt (Roberts 2000).Itis an important digenetic trematode and is found in middle East, India, Portugal and Africa.It afflicts the poor rural villagers, especially school aged children, women and fishermen who lack access to safe water and agitation and where daily activities bring them into direct contact with infected water sources.The adult organisms are found in various plexuses around the urinary bladder and their eggs traverse the wall of the bladder causing heamaturia and fibrosis of the bladder.

The bladder become calcified and there is increased pressure on ureters and kidneys otherwise known as hydronephorosis.Inflammation of the genitals due to S. haematobium may contribute to the propagation of HIV (Lecitscher et al., 2005). Schistosomiasis is one of the major communicable disease of public health and socio-economic importance of the tropical and sub-tropical regions. The disease has been reported to be the second to malaria as a source of human morbidity (WHO, 2014).

It is one of the major occupational hazards in rural areas of developing countries. It is second to known in prevalence among water borne parasitic diseases.Schistosomiasis or Bilhaziasis is not only endemic in Nigeria but is also known to be prevalent in all countries of Africa. According to estimate of WHO (2014) 200-300 million are infected with the diseases (and another 600 million are at risk of infection and endemic in 74 developing countries- Estimates suggest that 85% of schistosomiasis cases are now in sub-saheram Africa (Chitsulolet al., 2000).

WHO (2012) estimates that at least 243 million people required treatment for schistosomiusis in 2011 was 28.1 million. In Nigeria as one of the countries known to be highly endemic for urinary schistmosmiasis with estimated 101.28 million persons at risk and 25.83 million infected (Unekeet al., 2007).

The estimates for morbidity and mortality in affected populations are high with school age children. Urinary schistosomasis caused by S.haematobium, is also known as the vesical types of disease characterized by the passage of blood stained urine (haematuria). Some urinary abnormalities are associated with S haematibium infection. The presence of blood in urine known as haematuria stands protein in urine known as proteinuria has been recorded in several studies on S.haematobium infection. Persons affected by S.haematobium may develop cough, fever, skin inflammation and tenderness of leaver because the spined eggs attach to vital organs and cause tissue degeneration- later stages of the disease may be characterized by the swelling and damaging of bladder, liver and other organs (Engels et al.,2002).

The eggs of S haematobium can clog the bladder, neck and cause infection, many researcher have also observed damage on other body structures.Chronic schistosomiasis raises the incidence of bladder cancer in many middle eastern countries (Roberts etal; 2000).

Calcified eggs embedded in the bladder wall increase chances of blockage of the vessels. Although others. S haematobium is often chronic and can cause pain, secondary infection or difficult urination (dysuria) Blood in urine (Haematuria), urethra obstruction of urine (obstructive rephropathy) no urination (unuria) are all accompanied signs and symptoms. The parasite also causes chronic urinary tract bacterial infection.

The bladder may also develop tubercles, polyps, ulcers, are visible upon endoscopic examination.Late complication after years of infection includes squamaus cell carcinoma, incidence of unitary schistosomiasis in Nigeria and surveys reporting the prevalence in some towns and communities has been documental Chitsulol et al., (2000).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The spread of Schistosoma haematobium parasite has become one of the serious challenge facing populace.Children are more vulnerable to the infection and measureable number of them dies of the disease annually.The wide spread of the parasite in the area are due to the following factors of source of drinking and washing water in the area.

1.3 Significance of the Study

Schistosomiasis or Bilhaziasis is not only endermic in Nigeria but also known to be prevalent in all countries of Africa. According to WHO, (2014) millions are infected with the disease and another 600 million are at risk of the infection and endermic in 74 developing countries (Chitsulolet al., 2000).There is limited study on the prevalence of the parasite among the patients attending Henard Medical Centre and Alpha Hospital, Nasarawa therefore creating awareness of how to prevent and control the parasite and also treat the patients.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study

To determine the prevalence of S. haematobium infection among patients attending Henad Medical Center and Alpha Hospital, Nasarawa.

The following are the objective:

i. To determine the prevalence of S haematobium infection in relation to sex.

ii. To determine the prevalence of S haematobium infection in relation of age