URINARY SYMPTOMS AND BLOOD-PRESSURE OF CHILDREN WITH SCHISTOSOMA-HAEMATOBIUM INFECTION IN SOUTH-EASTERN NIGERIA

The urinary symptoms and blood pressures of 510 children (aged 5-15 ye ars) with Schistosoma haematobium infection in Ijiman community, Cross River State of Nigeria, were studied in 1992, The prevalence rate of infection was 44%, a majority of the children presenting with light in fection, Significant symptoms were visible haematuria, dysuria, suprap ubic pain and strangury. The sensitivity and specificity of these symp toms were too low for them to be recommended as distinct clinical diag nostic criteria. The impact of the disease could not be demonstrated o n blood pressures of the children, Nevertheless, urgent control measur es with emphasis on the provision of ventilated improved pit toilets a nd potable water are strongly recommended for the control of the disea se as persistent infection is known to mask manifestation of severe co mplications till an older age.