Background: Information on geo-helminth infections in Akoku community has never been reported. This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence and pattern of geo-helminth infections among this population, and to evaluate the impact of water source and faecal disposal system on the prevalence of geo-helminth infection.
Methods: Stool samples from 300 children aged between 0 and 15 year were screened for the presence of geo-helminth infections using direct smear method and kato-katz techniques.
Results: 240(80.0%) children were infected and a triad pattern of Ascaris lumbricoides (156, 52.0 %), hookworm (48, 16.0%) and Trichuris trichiura (36, 12.0%) were observed. There was no sex disparity and no significant difference (p>0.5) in the prevalence of geo-heminthiasis. Prevalence was highest among age group of 0-5 years, infection rate decreasing with increasing age. Multiple helminth infection was highest for A. lumbricoides and Hookworms combination (24, 10.0%). There was significant difference in multiple parasitic infections (P < 0.05). Those subjects using stream water were more infected compared to those using well and pipe bone water (P < 0.05) and those using nearby bushes as source of disposal of faeces were more significantly affected (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The high prevalence of geo-helminth infections suggests that parasitic infections are important public health problems. Thus, enhancing socioeconomic status, improving sanitation facilities, instilling health education and promoting ways of keeping personal hygiene can be good strategies to control these infections in the area.
Contribution/ Originality
This study documents for the first time the prevalence and infection patterns of geo-helminthiasis in this rural community. The findings showed that parasitic infections are public health problems among this population and that A. lumbricoides, hookworm and T. trichiura are the common helminths that cause parasitic infection in the study area.
J. Roche and A. Bento, "Prevalence of intestinal parasite infections with special reference to entamoeba histolytica on the Island of Bioko (Equitorial Guinea)," American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, vol. 60, pp. 257-262, 1999.
J. Nmor, J. Onojafe, and B. Omu, "Anthropogenic indices of soil- transmitted helminthiasis among children in Delta State, Southern Nigeria," Iranian Journal of Public Health, vol. 38, pp. 31-38, 2009.
T. Wegayehu, T. Tsalla, B. Seifu, and T. Tek, "Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among Highland and Lowland dwellers in Gamo area, South Ethiopia," BMC Public Health, vol. 13, p. 151, 2013.
L. Chan, S. Kan, and D. Bundy, "The effect of repeated chemotherapy on age-related predisposition of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura," Parasitology, vol. 104, pp. 371-377, 1992.
O. Adeyeba and A. Akinlabi, "Intestinal parasitic infections among school children in a rural community Southwest Nigeria," The Nigeria Journal of Parasitology, vol. 23, pp. 11-18, 2002.
M. Ogbe, E. Edet, and M. Isichei, "Intestinal helminth infection in primary school children in area of operation of shell petroleum development company of Nigeria (SPDC), Western division in Delta State," Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, vol. 23, pp. 3-10, 2002.
World Health Organization, Bench aids for the diagnosis of intestinal parasites. Geneva: Laboratory Manual, World Health Organization, 1994.
C. Andrade, T. Alava, I. De Palacio, C. Jamoletti, M. Gullelta, and A. Montressor, "Prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in the city of Portoviejo (Ecuador)," Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, vol. 92, pp. 209-217, 2001.
P. Agi, "Pattern of infection of intestinal parasites in Sagbama community of the Niger Delta, Nigeria," West Africa Journal of Medicine, vol. 14, pp. 39-42, 1995.
S. Esrey, J. Potash, L. Roberts, and C. Shiff, "Effects of improved water supply and sanitation on ascariasis, diarrhoea, dracunculiasis, hook worm infection, schistosomiasis, and trachoma," Bulletin of World Health Organization, vol. 65, pp. 609-621, 1999.
J. Van Derslice, B. Popkin, and J. Briscoe, "Drinking water quality, sanitation, breast feeding: Their interactive effects on infant health," Bulletin of World Health Organization, vol. 72, pp. 589-601, 1994.
A. Mahfouz, H. El-Morshedy, H. Farghaly, and A. Khalil, "Ecological determinants of intestinal parasitic infections among pre-school children in an urban squatter settlement of Egypt," Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, vol. 43, pp. 341-344, 1994.
O. Ukpai and C. Ugwu, "The prevalence of gastrointestinal tract parasites in primary school children Ikwuano local government area of Abia State, Nigeria," Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, vol. 24, pp. 129-136, 2003.
S. Pukuma and M. Sale, "Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth infections among children of Vunoklang primary school in moderei ward of girei local government area of Adamawa State, Nigeria," The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, vol. 27, pp. 73-75, 2007.
S. Etim, P. Akpan, S. Abeshi, O. Effion, and K. Enyi-Doh, "Intestinal helminths in children: Implications for helmimth control using school using school based mass chemotherapy," Nigeria Journal of Parasitology, vol. 23, pp. 53-60, 2002.
O. Agbolade, D. Akinboye, and A. Awolaja, "Intestinal helminthiasis and urinary schistosmiasis in some villages of Ijebu North, Ogun State, Nigeria," African Journal of Biotechnology, vol. 3, pp. 206-209, 2004.
S. Fashuyi, "The pattern of human intestinal helminthes infections in fanning communities in different parts of Ondo State. Nigeria," West African Journal of Medicine, vol. 11, p. 1, 1992.
A. Mengistu, S. Gebre-Selassie, and T. Kassa, "Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among urban dwellers in Southwest Ethiopia," Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, vol. 21, pp. 12-17, 2007.
J. Mbanuga and C. Abazie, "A comparative study of intestinal parasitic infections of pregnant and non-pregnant women in Nkpor. Anambra State," Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, vol. 23, pp. 19-26, 2002.
Click to View
Click to View
Click to View