EPIDEMIOLOGY OF URINARY SCHISTOSOMIASIS IN AGASSA JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis among 136 junior secondary school students in Agassa, Okene Local Government Area, Kogi State, Nigeria. Overall, 18 students (13.2%) tested positive for Schistosoma haematobium. Infection rates were highest among Junior Secondary School 1 (J.S.S. 1) male students at 21.5% and lowest among J.S.S. 3 female students at 6.3%. Males exhibited a higher prevalence (17.1%) than females (7.4%). Age-specific analysis showed the highest infection rate (19.6%) in students aged 10–12 years, while the lowest rate (4.7%) was observed in those aged 16–18 years. These findings indicate a significant burden of urinary schistosomiasis in this community, particularly among younger male students, likely due to greater exposure to infected water sources such as the Ekuku River. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted health education programs for students and the wider community to raise awareness of disease transmission and reduce risky water-contact behaviors, thereby controlling the spread of urinary schistosomiasis.