Water Contact! One Risk Too Many: Risk Factors Associated with Schistosoma haematobium infection in Osun State, Nigeria

Urinary schistosomiasis (US) is a significant public health problem to humans globally, particularly in sub-Sahara African countries. This study was carried out among 427 residents of Aye-Oba and Aye-Amodo in Ife South Local Government Area of Osun State, Nigeria. Their urine samples were examined by microscopy for the egg (s) of Schistosoma haematobium using a standard parasitological technique of sedimentation. The result showed that a total of 32.6% were positive for S. haematobium infection. Infection significantly varied among sex and age groups (p<0.05). Moreover, students/unemployed had the highest prevalence 52.1% compared to skilled workers with none positive for S. haematobium infection. Similarly, those with primary education recorded highest S. haematobium infection compared with those who had tertiary education with none positive for infection. Annual family income also played a major role as those with income ≤ ₦360,000 annually had the highest infection compared to those who earned ≤ ₦1,200,000 annually who recorded only 10.0% prevalence rate. Other variables including source of water, types of toilet and water contact activities also played a significant role in the transmission of urinary schistosomiasis. Thus, appropriate mitigating measures should be employed in the control of urinary schistosomiasis in the study area.