Bacteriuria Co-Infection in Urinary Schistosomiasis Among Vulnerable Children in Safana District of Katsina State-Nigeria

Background and Objective: Urinary schistosomiasis is one of the most significant neglected tropical diseases that constitutes a serious public health challenge globally. The burden of urinary schistosomiasis is further worsened by co-infection with bacterial Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). This study aimed at assessing bacterial co-infection in urinary schistosomiasis among vulnerable children (Almajiris) in Safana Town, Katsina State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 277 mid-stream urine samples were collected in sterile, screw-capped universal bottles using stratified random sampling technique and analyzed for the presence of the eggs of Schistosoma haematobium and bacterial strains using centrifugation, microscopy and bacterial culture techniques, respectively. Results: From the 277 urine samples analyzed in this study, the eggs of Schistosoma haematobium were detected in 30.32% (84/277) of the samples, the age groups 6-10 years and 11-15 years had the highest frequencies of occurrence of urinary schistosomiasis in this study and the lowest frequency of occurrence was observed in the age groups 1-5 years respectively. A total of 53.57% (45/84) bacterial strains were recovered from urine samples positive for Schistosoma haematobium. Staphylococcus aureus 37.14% (13/45) had the highest frequency of occurrence and Klebsiella sp., 5.71% (2/45) had the least frequency of occurrence in this study. Conclusion: Bacterial co-infection with Urinary schistosomiasis in vulnerable children is underreported in the study area. Further research on the antibiogram of bacterial isolates is urgently needed to improve the management and outcome of patients.