Geospatial Mapping and Seasonal Profiling of Urinary Schistosomiasis in Ase-Niger River Settlements: A Data-Driven Population-Base Study in Delta State, Nigeria

Objectives: This study is aimed to determine the geospatial, seasonal, age and gender prevalence and intensity of UgS; and to establish disease maps in the Ase-Niger River communities for effective drug administration.

Study Design: This study employed a 24 months longitudinal study design for parasitological investigations in 11 riparian communities of the Ase-Niger River basin, taking into cognizance their GPS locations imported into QGIS software for schistosomiasis mapping.

Methods: A total of 7,219 urine samples with WHO structured questionnaires were retrieved and subjected to parasitological evaluation using swinnex urine filtration techniques.

Results: An overall prevalence of 48.10% was established. Geospatially, prevalence ranges from 34.27% (Ivrogbo) to 52.29% (Ase) with seasonal significant difference (p < 0.05) accounting for 76.19% of the total variance. Ashaka had the highest prevalence for both males (55.73%) and females (53.32%) with significant difference in the study sites (p < 0.05) accounting for 96.47% of the total variance. Age-group 11-20 years consistently maintain a high prevalence at all sites. The peak geometric mean intensity of 105.69 was obtained in the dry season at Lagos Iyede. Ashaka, Igbuku, Iyede-Ame, and Onogboko had heavy-intensity levels in both seasons. Overall, the intensity was lower during the wet season than the dry season, with significant variations (p < 0.05) at Awah and Itobi-Ige. Geospatial prevalence and intensity have a robust and strong positive correlation (r = 0.7178; p = 0.0129), with 51.53% of intensity variability being influenced by prevalence (R = 0.5153).

Conclusion: UgS is a significant public health issue in the Ase-Niger River basin, with prevalences surpassing the national average of 29.0% which calls for MDA in these settlements.