Prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminthes among Primary School Pupils in Owerri West Local Government Area in Imo State, Nigeria

A study on the prevalence of soil transmitted helminthes in primary school pupils in relation to the type of toilet facilities, source of water, sex, age group as well as parental occupation was carried out in Owerri west local government area of Imo state between April 2008 and August 2009. A total of 745 stool samples collected from twelve schools were examined using standard parasitological procedures as well as structured questionnaire for collection of other relevant data. Out of the 745 stool sample collected, 35.43% were infected with either one or two of soil transmitted helminthes represented thus:79.17% Ascaris lumbricoides, 32.95% Hookworm and 4.55% Trichuris trichuria. There were prevalence variations among schools and mixed infections involving Ascaris and Hookworm, 15.15%, Ascaris and Trichuris,1.89% and that between Hookworm and Trichuris, 0.39%. Male were slightly more infected than the female pupils (P<0.05) while age group 10-12 had highest infection of 37.5%. Those who defecate in the bush had the highest infection rate of 37.89%, those that use water closet had the least infection of 33.12% while 85% of those who use stream as their main source of water were infected. Those whose parents are artesian were more infected,40%)than the others. Generally, poor personal, environmental hygiene and lack of essential amenities had been attributed to the prevalence of the parasites, transmission and spread in the area. The prevalence level of 35.43% is worrisome; hence morbidity and or mortality rate could be reduced by improving on personal and environmental hygiene, provision of essential amenities and massive education of the people on the danger of the disease.Keywords: soil transmitted helminthes, pupils and poor hygieneNigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 33 [1] March 2012, pp. 37-4

Prevalence and public health significance of helminth ova in deposited dog feces in Owerri, Nigeria

We conducted a prevalence study of gastro-intestinal helminth parasites of dogs in Owerri area of Imo state, Nigeria between April and October 1999. Of the 284 fecal dog specimens examined, 200(70.4%) were infected with one or more helminth parasites of the infected specimens. Eight helminth parasites were recorded and include Ancyclostoma caninum, Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, Toxoscaris leonine, Strongyloides spp, Dipylidium caninum,Spirocerca lupi and Taeniid eggs. Ancyclostoma caninumhad the highest prevalence (32.7%), followed by Toxocara canis (27.8%) and Trichuris vulpis (21.1%) with Taeniid eggs as the least (2.8%). The proportion of infected dogs varied significantly among various study locations with Nwafor (60.0) and Umudagu (50.0) areas being higher than others (p 0.01). The zoonotic implications of some of the helminth parasites recovered are discussed. Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 2(1) 2006: 34-3

Observations on parastrongyliasis in two land snails Achatina achatina and Achatina marginata with special reference to public health

Between December 2001 and August 2002, a study on the prevalence of Parastrongylus cantonensis nematode infection in two edible land snails Achatina marginata and Achatina achatina were carried out in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Of the 350 A. marginata examined, 209 (59.7%) were infected with a mean worm load of 27.2 larvae per snail. Similarly, 221 (61.1%) of 362 A. achatina examined had larvae of P. cantonensis with an intensity of 38.1 larvae per snail. The prevalence of Parastrongyliasis increased significantly with snail size (age) in both snails. There were seasonal fluctuations of infection intensities in both snails with peak intensities occurring during the rainy season, 43.9 larvae per snail in July and 55.8 larvae per snail in August for A. marginata and A. achatina respectively. The involvement of P. cantonensis in some diseases of man is highlighted. Keywords: Parastrongylus cantonensis; Achatina achatina; Achatina marginata; snail; public health; NigeriaAnimal Production Research Advances Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp 183-18