Prevalence of intestinal helminthes among school children and pregnant women in a low socio-economic area, Odenkume-Obowu, south east, Nigeria

Between September and October, 2010 a study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) in school children and pregnant women attending the primary health care centers in Odenkume Imo State, Nigeria. Stool samples were collected from 208 children and 62 pregnant women. The stool samples were examined for intestinal parasites by direct microscopy and formol ether concentration techniques. The results indicated that intestinal parasitic infections among school children and pregnant women in the study area were more of helminthes infections (70.7%) than water-borne infections (29.3%). Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Trichuris trichiura and Entamoeba histolytica were the commonest parasites found in stool samples of both study subjects. Age-specific prevalence of the pupils had significant effect on infection (p<0.05). However, there was insignificant difference on infection rate by age of pregnant women (p>0.05). Multigravidae (83.3%) had significantly higher infection rate than primigravidae (52.0%). The burden of parasitic infestations among the school children together with the poor sanitary conditions in the schools should be regarded as an issues of public health priority.Keywords: Intestinal parasites, helminthes, school children, pregnant women, Nigeri

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

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 (