Studies on the Intestinal Worm (Helminthiasis) infestation in a Central Nigerian Rural Community

The prevalence of intestinal helminth of residents of Naraguta rural community in Central Nigeria is presented. Out of 700 stool specimens examined between January and July 1999, 261 (37.3%) were positive forhelminthic infections. Helminths encountered include Hookworm, Schistosoma mansoni, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Hymenolepis nana. Hookworm was the most predominant, followed by S. stercoralis, S. mansoni and A. lumbricoides with T. trichiura as the least. Intestinal helminthiasis was equally prevalent for males and females. However, infection rates were high among persons below ten years of age,in toddlers, housewives and farmers than others. Persons defecating in the bush harbored more worms (56.7%) than pit latrine users (43.3%). Free medical diagnosis in most rural communities in Nigeria are probably justifiable and should be promoted and/or sustained by government. For protective purposes, conscientious personal cleanliness, proper sanitation and controlled good water supplies would be more useful. @JASE

Studies on the Intestinal Worm (Helminthiasis) infestation in a Central Nigerian Rural Community

The prevalence of intestinal helminth of residents of Naraguta rural community in Central Nigeria is presented. Out of 700 stool specimens examined between January and July 1999, 261 (37.3%) were positive for helminthic infections. Helminths encountered include Hookworm, Schistosoma mansoni , Trichuris trichiura , Strongyloides stercoralis , Ascaris lumbricoides , and Hymenolepis nana . Hookworm was the most predominant, followed by S. stercoralis, S. mansoni and A. lumbricoides with T. trichiura as the least. Intestinal helminthiasis was equally prevalent for males and females. However, infection rates were high among persons below ten years of age, in toddlers, housewives and farmers than others. Persons defecating in the bush harbored more worms (56.7%) than pit latrine users (43.3%). Free medical diagnosis in most rural communities in Nigeria are probably justifiable and should be promoted and/or sustained by government. For protective purposes, conscientious personal cleanliness, proper sanitation and controlled good water supplies would be more useful. @JASE

Prevalence and distribution of ringworm infections in primary school children in parts of Eastern, Nigeria

A study on the prevalence and distribution of ringworm infection amongst primary school children in northern Ebony State of eastern Nigeria was carried out between November 2002 and June 2003. Of the 279 pupils sampled randomly from four schools, 59 (21.1%) had ringworm infection. While only two genera of fungi Microsporum and Trichophyton were isolated, six species viz: M. canis (11.9%), M. andoninii (20.3%), T. sondamense (20.3%), T. mentagrophytes (22.0%), T. schoenleinii (15.3%) and T. quinckeannan (10.2%) were also encountered. The distribution of ringworm among schools was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Both male and female pupils with in the age bracket of 5-7 years were significantly infected than other age categories (P0.05). M. andoninii was more predominant over others in males while T. mentagrophytes was more prevalent in female pupils. Poor infrastructures (houses and classroom), children playing with animals, the Nigerian environmental vis-a-vis personal uncleaniness by pupils are contributing factors to the high frequency and severity of ringworm in the area. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 9(3) 2005: 21-2

Assessment of the effectiveness of intervention strategies in the control of endemic dracunculiasis in Ebonyi state, Nigeria

An assessment study of the effectiveness of intervention strategies in the control of endemic dracunculiasis amongst farming communities of Ezza north, Ebonyi State, Nigeria was carried out. A total of 2,226 persons were physically examined during the initial study prior to the application of intervention measures. A total of 426 (19.1%) subjects had either Dracunculus ulcers or emergent worms. About 18.5% and 20.2% males and females were infected respectively. Infection varied among communities with Iyere (47.9%) and Ekka (43.9%) being significantly higher than others (