Prevalence of intestinal helminthic infections among secondary school students in Edo State, Nigeria

Background: Intestinal helminthic infections are generally common in children accounting for the largest disability adjusted life years (DALYs) of all the parasitic agents. In this study, we determined the prevalence of intestinal helminthic infections among secondary school students in a semi-urban community in Edo State, Nigeria. Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study of 489 students from four secondary schools in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria was conducted between December 2018 and July 2019. The schools were selected by stratified random sampling and all eligible students in each school were enrolled. Stool samples were collected from each student into sterile universal bottle and direct wet mount as well as formol-ether concentrated samples were examined under compound light microscope at the Animal and Environmental Biology Laboratory of the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on socio-demographic and potential risk factors for helminthic infection. Data were analysed with SPSS version 22.0 and associations between variables compared using Chi square or Fischer exact test, with p<0.05 as significant value.Results: Of the total 489 students examined (261 males, 228 females), 6 had intestinal helminthic infection, giving an overall prevalence rate of 1.2%, with 0.7% (n=2) in males and 1.8% (n=4) in females (p=0.4244). Three helminthic parasites, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Ancylostoma duodenale were identified. All the 6 subjects with helminthiasis had been de-wormed at interval of more than 1 year. Regular hand washing practices (p<0.025) and de-worming interval of 1 year or less (p=0.000) were factors significantly associated with low prevalence of helminthic infection while other risk factors were not significantly associated. Conclusion: The study shows low prevalence of intestinal helminthic  infections among secondary school students in Esan West LGA, Edo State, Nigeria. The high level of hand hygiene practices among the participants may account for the low prevalence, which emphasizes the effective role of hygiene practices in the control and elimination of intestinal parasitic infections. De-worming of students at regular interval (yearly) is  recommended.Keywords: Intestinal helminth, Prevalence, risk factors, hand hygiene, de-wormingFrench Title: Prévalence des infections helminthiques intestinales chez les élèves du secondaire dans l'État d'Edo, au NigériaContexte: les infections helminthiques intestinales sont généralement fréquentes chez les enfants représentant les plus grandes années de vie corrigées de l'incapacité (Avci) de tous les agents parasitaires. Dans cette étude, nous avons déterminé la prévalence des infections helminthiques intestinales chez les élèves du secondaire dans une communauté semi-urbaine de L'État D'Edo, au Nigeria Méthodologie: une étude transversale descriptive de 489 étudiants de quatre écoles secondaires dans la zone de Gouvernement Local D'Esan West de L'État D'Edo, au Nigeria, a été menée entre décembre 2018 et juillet 2019. Les écoles ont été sélectionnées par échantillonnage aléatoire stratifié et tous les élèves admissibles de chaque école ont été inscrits. Des échantillons de selles ont été prélevés chez chaque étudiant dans une bouteille universelle stérile et une monture humide directe ainsi que des échantillons concentrés de Formol-éther étaient examinés au microscope optique composé au Laboratoire de Biologie animale et environnementale de L'Université du Bénin, Benin City, Nigeria. Un questionnaire structuré a été administré pour recueillir des données sur les facteurs de risque sociodémographiques et potentiels d'infection helminthique. Les données étaient analysées avec la version SPSS 22.0 et les associations entre les variables comparées à L'aide du Chi carré ou du test Fischer exact, avec p<0,05 pris comme valeur significative. Résultats: sur les 489 étudiants examinés (261 hommes, 228 femmes), 6 avaient une infection helminthique intestinale, ce qui donne un taux de prévalence global de 1,2%, avec 0,7% (n=2) chez les hommes et 1,8% (n=4) chez les femmes (p=0,4244). Trois parasites helminthiques, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura et Ancylostoma duodenale ont été identifiés. Tous les 6 sujets avec d'helminthiase avaient été vermifugés à intervalle de plus d’un an. Les pratiques régulières de lavage des mains (p<0,025) et l'intervalle vermifuge de 1 an ou moins (p=0,000) étaient des facteurs significativement associés à une faible prévalence de l'infection helminthique alors que d'autres facteurs de risque n'étaient pas significativement associés. Conclusion: L'étude montre une faible prévalence des infections  helminthiques intestinales chez les élèves du secondaire à Esan West LGA, dans L'État D'Edo, au Nigeria. Le niveau élevé de pratiques d'hygiène des mains chez les participants peut expliquer la faible prévalence, ce qui souligne le rôle efficace des pratiques d'hygiène dans le contrôle et l'élimination des infections parasitaires intestinales. Il est recommandé de déparasiter les élèves à intervalles réguliers (chaque année).Mots-clés: helminthes intestinaux, prévalence, facteurs de risque, hygiène des mains, vermifuge

A survey of haematophagous flies and cattle trypanosomiasis in Ikara and Kubau Local Government Areas, Kaduna State, Nigeria

A survey of species composition and distribution of haematophagous flies as well as occurrence of Trypanosoma species of cattle was conducted between March and August, 2015, at Ikara and Kubau Local Government Areas, Kaduna State, using Biconical and Nzi traps. Twelve traps were placed for 48hrs along four districts in each of the local government areas and harvested every 24hrs. Blood samples from cattle were analyzed for the presence of Trpanosomes using thick, thin Blood smear and Hematocrit centrifugation method. A total of 232 haematophagous and non-haematophagous flies were caught during the study period. Ikara Local Government had a higher occurrence of flies 127(54.7%) than Kubau Local Government 105(45.3%). The occurrence of the haematophagous flies, Stomoxys calcitrans 107(85.3%) had the highest occurrence than Tabanus 9(7.1%) while Glossina had 0(0.0%). The rainy season had 212 flies trapped compared to the dry season with fewer flies. There was a significant association (p<0.05) between flies occurrence and seasons. The cattle sampled were positive for T. vivax and T. brucei. There was no significant association (p>0.05) between the occurrence of Trypanosoma infection in the study area. It is very important to mention that plans should be put in place for the total eradication of these flies and parasite as they could act as vector for the transmission of pathogens that can cause significant health crises in human and animals.Keywords: Haematophagous; flies; trypanosome; Nzi, biconical; Ikara; Kubau; Kaduna State

Spatial and temporal variation in physico-chemical parameters at Ugbevwe Pond, Oghara, Delta State

Water quality describes the physicochemical, biological and radiological characteristics of water. A field study was conducted to determine the spatial and temporal variation in the physico-chemical, nutrients and heavy metals parameters at Ugbevwe Pond, Oghara, Delta State. Water samples were collected from three stations of which station 1 and 2 are disturb with anthropogenic activities from August, 2014 to May, 2015 covering the wet and dry seasons. A total of 34 parameters were analyzed in water using standard methods. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the mean values of the physico-chemical parameters across the three stations. The test of difference in the mean values between the wet and dry season shows that twelve (12) parameters had seasonal differences (P<0.05) with electrical conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solids, sodium, ammonium-nitrogen, nitrite, iron, zinc and copper having higher values in the dry season while dissolved oxygen, phosphorus and manganese have higher values in the rainy season. The water quality index is 70.10 and is rated as Medium water quality according to the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI) and Waters achieving only an average rating generally have less diversity of aquatic organisms, frequently have increased algal growth and may not be suitable for recreational purposes or other purposes which involve direct contact with humans.Keywords: physicochemical parameters, pond, heavy metals, water quality inde

Assessment of Water Pollution Indices of Two Anthropogenic Impacted Rivers in Southern Nigeria

Freshwater ecosystems afford essential needs and services to humans and have not been spared the effects of anthropogenic pressures exacerbated by increasing urbanization and industrialization. The study was undertaken in two southern inland rivers in Edo State, Nigeria, following concerns that the increasing human population in the region, coupled with indiscriminate discharges into rivers could erode water quality and elevate metal concentrations above allowable limits. Water samples were collected and analyzed for heavy metal concentrations using standard procedures. The results showed that metal concentrations were generally within national and international limits for drinking water with exceptions in cadmium and lead. Water pollution indices showed metal pollution index for cadmium (1037, 757) and lead (503, 379) in Ovia and Ossiomo Rivers respectively. These values far exceeded the critical level of 100 with a high contamination index (>6) of cadmium in both rivers. Water quality index from physico-chemical analysis indicated poor conditions in Ossiomo River relative to very poor water conditions in Ovia River. The study demonstrated that cadmium and lead were the major contributors to the adverse environmental conditions in both rivers. Thus, incessant anthropogenic pressures adversely affected water quality of these rivers rendering them unsuitable for human use. This would potentially have serious ecological and human health implications as chronic effects may be unquantifiable. Keywords: Ovia and Ossiomo Rivers, heavy metal, water quality index, contamination inde