Intestinal helminthiasis and human/environmental factors among primary school pupils in Okuzu-Oba, Anambra State, Nigeria
1 Department of Biological Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, PMB 0248, Bauchi, Nigeria.
2 Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Research Article
GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2019, 07(02), 141–145.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscbps.2019.7.2.0084
Publication history:
Received on 06 May 2019; revised on 20 May 2019; accepted on 24 May 2019
Abstract:
Intestinal helminthiasis, a health problem in the developing world; is due to factors that promote their survival and transmission, with children at the highest risk. Using direct wet preparation and Formol-Ether concentration techniques; survey carried out revealed an overall prevalence rate of 34.8%. These parasites were identified with their corresponding rates: hookworms – 26.8%, Ascaris lumbricoides – 9.4%, Strongyloides stecoralis – 1.7%, Trichuris trichura – 1.7%, Enterobius vermicularis – 0.7% and Giardia lamblia – 0.7%. A sample size of 138 pupils including 74 male and 64 females, of whom 35.1% and 34.8% were infected respectively. Four age groups: 4 – 6, 7 – 9, 10 – 13 and 14 – 16 had infection rates of: 33.3%, 26.7%, 42% and 25% respectively, with significant difference among the age groups (P>0.05). Sources of drinking water included bore-hole and stream/river, with infection rates according to the sources as: 41.3% and 21.7% respectively, difference highly significant (P>0.01). Drinking water purification by boiling was analyzed and 16.7% of those who did were infected while 35.6% of those who did not purify were infected, difference highly significant (P>0.01). Infection rates according to toilet facility type at home were: 50% for no toilet, 41.2% for water closet and 33.6% for pit toilet owners. Toilet facility at home notwithstanding, some prefer to defecate in the bush of whom 56.7% were infected, while 30.8% of those who use toilet facility at home were infected, difference highly significant (P>0.01). This research showed high prevalence rate, poor sanitary conditions and lack of good water supply. Health education, Mass chemotherapy and provision of good water are recommended.
Keywords:
Intestinal helminthiasis; Human/environmental factors; Primary school pupils; Okuzu-Oba; Anambra State; Nigeria
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Copyright © 2019 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0
