Urinary Schistosomiasis Prevalence and Gross Haematuria Among School-Age Children in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria

Urinary schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium is endemic in many communities in North Central Nigeria, causing haematuria, obstructive uropathy, anaemia, and educational impairment in affected school children. This study assesses the prevalence of S. haematobium infection and associated gross haematuria among school-age children in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in three local government areas including Edu, Moro, and Kaiama, enrolling 320 children aged 6 to 15 years from primary schools in communities adjacent to irrigation canals and river floodplains. Terminal urine samples were collected between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM and examined by membrane filtration for S. haematobium egg counts. The dipstick reagent strip test was used for haematuria screening as a proxy for active infection. Questionnaires captured water contact patterns, awareness of schistosomiasis, access to treated water, and preventive chemotherapy history. Current literature from 2020 to 2024 reports widespread S. haematobium transmission in Kwara communities despite intermittent mass drug administration with praziquantel. This study will produce locality-specific prevalence and intensity data to guide programme targeting. Findings will be submitted to the Kwara State Ministry of Health and the NTD Control Programme for evidence-based planning. Keywords: urinary schistosomiasis, Schistosoma haematobium, haematuria, school children, Kwara State.