In Nigeria, there is only very limited epidemiological information on which the control of human urinary
schistosomiasis could be based. In a cross-sectional study, therefore, the prevalences and intensities of, and risk
factors for, human infection with Schistosoma haematobium infection were explored in two endemic peri-urban
villages in the south–western state of Osun. The villagers’ knowledge about the infection and demographic, socio–
economic and environmental variables were recorded using a structured questionnaire.
Of the 1023 individuals who were investigated, 634 (62.0%) were found infected, with a mean (S.D.) overall
intensity of 114.2 (327.7) eggs/10 ml urine. The subjects aged 10–14 years had both the highest prevalence
(83.6%) and the highest mean (S.D.) intensity of infection [196.67 (411.7) eggs/10 ml urine]. Most (70.0%) of the
subjects appeared to have no knowledge of the transmission of S. haematobium.
The results of multivariate regression analysis indicated that infection and moderate–heavy infection (i.e. .50
eggs/10 ml urine) were both associated with: a low family income, of ,U.S.$500/month [with adjusted odds ratios
(aOR) of 3.72 and 3.35, respectively], the number of children aged 10–15 years living in the household (with aOR
of 1.60 and 1.99, respectively), not living with biological parents (with aOR of 1.93 and 5.21, respectively), and
living close to (i.e. within a 30-min walk of) the local river (with aOR of 1.38 and 1.61, respectively). Literacy of the
family head was, however, a protective factor (with corresponding aOR of 0.28 and 0.30, respectively). Human
urinary schistosomiasis appears to be highly endemic in peri-urban/rural Nigeria and closely associated with
poverty. To reduce the transmission of S. haematobium in endemic communities, health education that is not only
of high quality but also culturally sensitive is needed.