Prevalence of Schistosoma Haematobium among Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) Patients Attending National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Babbar-Ruga, Katsina

Abstract

Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) infection has been identified as an uncommon contributor to VVF, potentially hindering the healing process of urogenital tissues. The study was conducted at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Katsina (NOFICK) to determine the prevalence of S. haematobium among VVF patients. Direct and catheterized urine collection methods were employed to collect about 10–15 m l o f u r i n e s a m p l e a n d e x a m i n e d microscopically for the presence of S. haematobium eggs. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 297 patients. An overall prevalence of 2.36% was observed. The results obtained revealed that patients from rural areas have a higher prevalence of 85.7% than those from urban areas, with 14.3%. The occurrence related to age revealed that patients aged between 16-20 years have the highest prevalence of 57.1%, compared to 21-30 age groups with 28.6%. Prevalence was notably lowest in individuals older than 30 years, accounting for just 14.3%. However, a chi-square test of independence showed that there was no significant association between age group and Schistosomiasis infection, X² = 0.1655, p = 0.921. Patients with only primary school level of education were found to be more infected, with a prevalence of 57.1%, than those with no formal level of education, with a prevalence of 28.6%. Furthermore, the study also revealed that patients who utilize rivers for their domestic activities were more prone to infection than those that engage dams, wells, taps, and ponds for such purposes. The research strongly advocated the need for all VVF patients to be screened for possible Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS), which can interfere with the wound healing of urogenital tissues and eventual treatment failure.