Ascaris lumbricoides: The risk factors and effects on growth of schoolchildren within Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria

Intestinal helminthiasis affects children’s health and physical growth. Finding the prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, risk factors and effects on growth of children in Samaru, Zaria were the foci of this study. Fresh faecal samples were collected from 203 consented children in seven selected schools. Weight and height data were measured and body mass index was calculated for each child. Samples were processed by formol-ether concentration technique and examined for ova of Ascaris lumbricoides with light microscope. Data were analyzed by statistical tools. Overall prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was 2.0%. The infection was absent in children from private schools, but those from public schools were significantly infected (P=0.042, OR >1). Male children were more infected (2.1%) than females (1.9%). Children below 10 years old had no ascariasis, while children of 10-11 and 12-13 years old had 2.5% and 2.9% infections respectively. Children who eat raw vegetables (OR =1.021) or work on farms (OR =2.636) were more at risk of ascariasis. No sign/symptom was associated with ascariasis. Ascaris lumbricoides was present only in children whose body weights were ≤38.0kg with significantly low body mass index of <18.50 (OR >1). Ascariasis is preventable given proper environmental sanitation, safe water and adequate sanitary facilities

Risk factors and effects of hookworm infections on anthropometric indices of school children in Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria

Rural communities in Nigeria suffer a great deal of parasitic infections. The effect is severe on children. Parasitic infections affect the health of schoolchildren by causing malnutrition, anaemia, reduced cognitive ability and poor performance in school. This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of hookworm infections, associated risk factors and their effects on anthropometric indices of schoolchildren in Samaru, Zaria. Children across public and private schools were enlightened about the disease. Fresh morning faecal samples were collected from each of 203 consented pupils. The samples were examined for hookworm eggs by formol-ether concentration technique. Prevalence of hookworms was 4.9%. Children in four out of seven schools were found with hookworm infections (P=0.000). Children from public schools were significantly more infected with hookworms (7.9%, P=0.050) than those in the private schools. Male schoolchildren had higher hookworm infections (5.8%) than the females (4.7%, P>0.05). The youngest children of age 6-7 years old were the most infected (9.1%); followed by those of 10-11 years old who had 5.8% infections. Children who walked barefooted (6.5%), consumed raw vegetables (5.1%) or engaged in farming (5.3%) were more infected with hookworms than those who did not, but the relationship was not significant (P>0.00). Only fever (3.0%) was found among infected children (P=0.582), other symptoms did not occur among those infected with the hookworms. Children with weight of 39-48kg had the highest infection of 8.0%. Weight, height and BMI were not statistically associated with hookworm infections among the children. However, most of the children (87.2%) had underweight BMI