Prevalence and molecular characterization of Schistosoma haematobium among public and private secondary school students in Challawa, Kumbotso L. G. A, Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

Urogenital schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, particularly among school-aged children with frequent exposure to contaminated water. This study assessed the prevalence, risk factors, and molecular identity of S. haematobium among public and private secondary school students in Challawa, Kano State. Urine samples from 370 students were examined microscopically for S. haematobium eggs. Sociodemographic, behavioral, environmental, and clinical data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Associations between infection and risk factors were analyzed using chi-square tests and odds ratios. The overall prevalence was 39.46%, indicating active transmission. Infection was significantly higher in public schools (42.1%) than private schools (30.0%) (P<0.001). Males had higher prevalence (45.0%) than females (31.3%) (OR=2.21; 95% CI: 1.85–2.63). The highest burden occurred among ages 11–20 years (40.5%). Key risk factors included swimming, bathing in natural water bodies, water fetching, proximity to water sources, and poor sanitation (P<0.001). Molecular analysis using nuclear ITS2 rDNA and mitochondrial cox1 markers confirmed all isolates as S. haematobium. Sequences showed high similarity with GenBank references, while phylogenetic analysis revealed close clustering with minimal divergence, indicating low genetic variation. In conclusion, urogenital schistosomiasis remains endemic in Challawa, driven by behavioral and environmental exposures, with evidence of genetically homogeneous parasite populations. Molecular analysis confirmed the occurrence of pure S. haematobium isolates in the study population.