Prevalence and Pattern of Soil Transmitted Helminths (STHs) among Primary School Children at Nnewi, Nnewi- North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria | Chapter 11 | Recent Advances in Biological Research Vol. 6
Soil Transmitted Helminths (STHs) are
of great Public Health importance. The present study was designed to evaluate
the prevalence and pattern of STHs among Primary School Children at Nnewi,
Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. 250 school
children aged 1-12 years were randomly recruited from 5 major primary schools
at Nnewi between January and June 2017. 95 (38%) were males while 155 (62%)
were females. Stool samples were collected using universal sterile containers
and examined microscopically using saline floatation method. Out of the 250
pupils examined, 105 (42%) were positive for at least one STH. 40 (42.1%) of
the males examined were positive while 65 (41.9%) of the females were positive.
There was no significant difference between sexes (P > 0.05). Children aged
1-5 years had the highest prevalence (62.2%), followed by those aged 6-8 years
(33.3). Children aged 9-12 years had the least prevalence. Prevalence was
significantly different between the different age groups (P < 0.05). Among
the STHs isolated, Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent (22%), followed
by Hookworm (14%). The least prevalent was Trichuris trichiura (6%). No case of
mixed infection was detected. The study concludes that STHs are of immense
public Health importance in primary School children at Nnewi and efforts should
be intensified to promote health education, personal hygiene and sanitation and
regular deworming of school children. In conclusion, STHs have remained endemic
in the study area in particular and Nigeria in general and is a major source of
public health concern. Strict environmental sanitation, provision of adequate
water supply, good housing, coupled with health education will go a long way
towards its eradication. This should be the target of all governments in Nigeria.
Author(s) Details
Dr. S. N. Ukibe
Department of Prosthetics
and Orthotics, School of Health Technology, Federal University of Technology,
Owerri, Nigeria.
N. R. Ukibe
Department of Medical
Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Science and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe
University, Nnewi Campus, Nigeria.
Dr. A. C. Obi-Okaro
Department of Community
Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi
Campus, Nigeria.
M. O. Iwueze
Department of Parasitology
and Entomology, Faculty of Bioscience, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Campus,
Nigeria.
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