Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of praziquantel in reducing urinary schistosomiasis prevalence, parasite burden and morbidity rates among a previously reported sample of Schistosoma haematobium-infected children. In addition, predisposing factors for reinfection one year post-treatment were also determined. Methods: This prospective follow-up study was conducted between March 2014 and February 2015 among 675 previously reported children with urinary schistosomiasis in the Murbai and Surbai communities of Ardo Kola, Taraba State, Nigeria. A single dose of 40 mg/kg of praziquantel was administered to each infected child, with a second dose administered one month later if necessary. The number of S. haematobium eggs in urine samples was calculated at baseline and post-treatment. Results: At four weeks post-treatment, the overall cure rate was 98.1%. Among children with low and heavy parasite burdens at baseline, egg reduction rates (ERRs) were 100% and 96.5%, respectively. The vast majority of children with microhaematuria (98.7%) and proteinuria (98.6%) at baseline were cured at follow-up. Following a second dose, the ERR, overall and morbidity cure rates increased to 100%. At one year post-treatment, 272 infected children (40.3%) were re-assessed; of these, 51 children (18.8%) were reinfected. Close proximity to bodies of water (odds ratio [OR] = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.998–1.530; P = 0.05) and fishing (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 0.828–6.040; P = 0.01) were significant factors that predisposed children to reinfection. Conclusion: A moderate rate of reinfection was noted. Governmental and nongovernmental organisations in Nigeria should collaborate on mass treatment and health education campaigns to reduce the incidence of urinary schistosomiasis reinfections.
Publication details
- DOI
- 10.18295/squmj.2018.18.03.007
- Journal
- Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 18(3), e304-310
- Publisher
- Sultan Qaboos University
- Open access
- Gold open access
- License
- CC BY-ND 4.0
Cite this article
APA 7
Houmsou, R. S., Wama, B. E., Uniga, H., A., J., Amuta, E. U., & Kela, S. L. (2025). High Efficacy of Praziquantel in Schistosoma haematobium-Infected Children in Taraba State, Northeast Nigeria: A follow-up study. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 18(3), e304-310. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.2018.18.03.007
MLA 9
Houmsou, Robert S., et al. "High Efficacy of Praziquantel in Schistosoma haematobium-Infected Children in Taraba State, Northeast Nigeria: A follow-up study." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 18, no. 3, 2025, pp. e304-310. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.2018.18.03.007.
Chicago (author–date)
Houmsou, Robert S., Binga E. Wama, Hemen Uniga, John A., Elizabeth U. Amuta, and Santaya L. Kela. 2025. "High Efficacy of Praziquantel in Schistosoma haematobium-Infected Children in Taraba State, Northeast Nigeria: A follow-up study." Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal 18 (3): e304-310. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.2018.18.03.007.
Harvard
Houmsou, R. S., Wama, B. E., Uniga, H., A., J., Amuta, E. U. and Kela, S. L. (2025) 'High Efficacy of Praziquantel in Schistosoma haematobium-Infected Children in Taraba State, Northeast Nigeria: A follow-up study', Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 18(3), pp. e304-310. doi:10.18295/squmj.2018.18.03.007.
Vancouver
Houmsou RS, Wama BE, Uniga H, A. J, Amuta EU, Kela SL. High Efficacy of Praziquantel in Schistosoma haematobium-Infected Children in Taraba State, Northeast Nigeria: A follow-up study. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. 2025;18(3):e304-310. doi:10.18295/squmj.2018.18.03.007
IEEE
R. S. Houmsou, B. E. Wama, H. Uniga, J. A., E. U. Amuta, and S. L. Kela, "High Efficacy of Praziquantel in Schistosoma haematobium-Infected Children in Taraba State, Northeast Nigeria: A follow-up study," Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. e304-310, 2025, doi: 10.18295/squmj.2018.18.03.007.