1.1 Introduction
Schistosomiasis (biharziasis or snail fever) is a chronic and enervating illness caused by digenetic Trematode flatworms (flukes) of the genus Schistosoma (Noble and Glem, 1982). Urinary schistosomiasis is a common cause of hematuria in tropical regions, where it most often affects teenage boys (Sheehan et al., 1984). Most human infections are are caused by Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma haematobium, or Schistosoma japonicum.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Schistosomiasis presents a constant threat to as many as 600millons people as they perform daily activities related to water, such like swimming, washing and bathing ( Bayers 1984) this Schistosomiasis affect for different population from as a result of human contact with infected water, they includes: Occupational, Recreational, Domestic and Socio-cultural (Ukoli 1984). Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease of urinary and intestinal tracts by schistosome. A specie which infect the urinary bladder is caused by schistosome haematobuim widely found in Africa and was first discovered by bilharza in 1851 in Egyptian mummies and He also carried out an urogential tract autopsy. About 20million people are infected with schistosome parasite, those who get heavy infection are especially or death. Billaries modify dictimery (1998) defined Schistosomiasis as infection disease of man caused by blood flukes of genus schistosome. It is one of the most serious parasitic infections of man, affecting millions of people in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa, Asia and West Indies.
The three main species of schnstosome responsible for human infection are schistosoma japonicum. Four other species occurring much less commonly are interculum, S matter, S bovis and S meking. The blood flukes in schistosome are a long narrow known as Schistosomiasis or bilharziasis. schistosome that livers in the urinary bladder of man is known as schistosoma haematobium while that in the intestine is schistosoma mansm, and also schistosoma japonicum,
Ramsay (1934) reported that male and female worms are separated individual but the female is smaller and is carried in a groove on the under surface of the male and lives in the vein of the host. The female lays eggs in the walls of the bladder and intestine causing inflammation and bleeding. The eggs are excreted with body wastes and find their way to water contaminated by several different water snail example bulinus which is the intermediate host of schistosoma haematobium. Schistosomiasis is very wide spread and associated with poverty, poor housing and inadequate sanitary facilities and unsanitary human behavior.
Schistosoma has been found to be a disease rampart and highly prevalent in the revenuer areas, where man contact with infected water while performing their Agricultural activities. Ishiehy Amagunze using annual the river Afavu having an agricultural base with the people contact with the infected water and swampy soil, there is the tendency of the disease which manifest in the people with symptoms as haematuria tenderness of lower etc. It is prevalence in Armagunze increases as the people gets more into contact with the water bodies this makes water bodies unsafe for Agricultural recreational activities endangers farm works and use of the water contact relation for the people have increased alarming due to the poor facilities and recreational features. Hence, there is need to redetermine the level of Schistosomiasis in Ishelu Amagume, Nkanu local government.
Chronic disease due to S. haematobium infection predominantly affects the genitourinary system. The reason being that the eggs are deposited in the interstitial tissues, and granulomas form around them, with subsequent fibrosis. The severity of the disease is directly proportional to the number of eggs deposited. Terminal hematuria and dysuria are frequent initial symptoms (Lehman et al., 1973). One of the serious consequences of schistosomiasis is obstructive uropathy due to more or less irreversible ureteral lesions (WHO, 2010).
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Prevalence of Schistosoma Mansoni among Children.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that some community has a number of slow moving streams and water bodies with high human contact. The exposed population is primary school pupils who swims, wash food clothes at long hours. It is expected that water intact diseases and schistosomiasis will be highly prevalent in the community.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Prevalence of Schistosoma Mansoni among Children in Amagunze Community. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To evaluate the epidemiology of Schistosoma Mansoni among Children of Ishielu Amagunze in Nkanu local government.
- To educate the pupils with respect to the disease on the mode of infection and identify ways of preventing and controlling the disease.
- To investigate the risk factors militating Schistosoma Mansoni among Children of Ishielu Amagunze in Nkanu local government
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are pupils educated with respect to the disease on the mode of infection and identify ways of preventing and controlling the disease?
- Are there risk factors militating Schistosoma Mansoni among Children of Ishielu Amagunze in Nkanu local government?
- What is the epidemiology of Schistosoma Mansoni among Children of Ishielu Amagunze in Nkanu local government?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant factors militating Schistosoma Mansoni among Children of Ishielu Amagunze in Nkanu local government
- H1: There is a significant factors militating Schistosoma Mansoni among Children of Ishielu Amagunze in Nkanu local government
1.7 Significance of Study
Since all human activities required water such as drinking, bathing, washing of clothes and agricultural purpose etc. there is need for proper disposal of faces and urine to reduce the rates of infection of Schistosomiasis and pupils coming to the water should be screened before allowing settling in the area.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
This study focuses on the Prevalence of Schistosoma Mansoni among Children in Amagunze Community, a village located in Enugu State, Nigeria.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Schistosomiasis: Schistosomiasis is a chronic and enervating illness caused by digenetic Trematode flatworms of the genus Schistosoma.
Urinary schistosomiasis: Urinary schistosomiasis is a common cause of hematuria in tropical regions, where it most often affects teenage boys.
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