Soil-transmitted Helminths and Urinary Schistosomiasis Co-infection: Risk Factors among School Children in Riverine Areas of Wamakko Local Government, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Epidemiological study was conducted to determine the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and intestinal helminth co-infection among primary school pupils in Wamakko Local Government, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Urine and stool samples were collected from 400 pupils and analyzed using filtration and formol-ether concentration techniques respectively. Out of 400 samples, 63(32.8%) were co-infected with Schistosoma haematobium and one or more intestinal helminths. The co-infection of S. haematobium with Ascaris lumbricoides was most prevalent (74.6%), while S. haematobium with A. lumbricoides, hookworm, and S. haematobium with A. lumbricoides and S. mansoni had the least prevalence (1.6% each). Being male, 10-12 years of age and not washing hands before and after meals were the major risk factors for the spread of urinary schistosomiasis and intestinal helminths co-infection in the study area. An integrated strategy that involves the provision of health education to the communities, regular treatments, provision of safe water supply and sanitation facilities is highly recommended.