SURVEY OF INTESTINAL SCHISTOSOMIASIS AND SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHIASIS AMONG PUPILS IN IFELODUN, KWARA STATENIGERIA

Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminths (STHs) are among the mainly prevalent suffering of human who live in areas of poverty in the developing world. The diseases caused by STHs and Schistosoma mansoniare most commonly associated with poor hygiene practice and improper excreta disposal. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of infections with STHs, Schistosoma mansoniand the associated risk factors among school children in Ifelodun, Kwara State. It was a cross sectional study that recruited school children from 3 randomly selected primary schools in the Local Government Area aged from 3 to 18 years. A well structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic data and possible associated risk factors. A single stool sample was processed using Kato Katz thick smear technique and examined for eggs of geohelminths and S. mansoniinfections.The only prevalent helminth seen wasAscaris lumbricoides6.3% (n=160). In all, female pupils had more infestation with prevalence of 4.4%(7/160) than their male counterpart 1.9% (3/160). Eighty percent of the infected pupils had heavy infection while 20% had light infection (P< 0.05). Thus, none of the infected pupils had moderateinfection. The study confirmed absence of Intestinal Schistosomiasis among pupils in the study are

Prevalence of Anemia among Pregnant Women Registered at Antennal Clinic of Ondo Specialist Hospital, Ondo State, Nigeria

Anemia remains a major risk factor for unfavorable outcome of pregnancy both for the mother and the fetus. It is the world’s second leading cause of disability and one of the most serious global public health problems among children and pregnant women. Its diagnosis remains a challenge in poor and underfunded hospitals and primary health centers. This study is a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted in Ondo Specialist Hospital, Ondo town to assess anemia among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic from August to October 2015. One hundred and fifty pregnant women were enrolled in this study. Data were collected using pretested questionnaire, which contains socio-demographic characteristics of the pregnant women. Blood samples were collected to measure hemoglobin and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) levels. Data were entered and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0 software. Association between variables was done using chi square, and statistical significance was considered at p<0.05. The mean age of pregnant women was 28.92±4.89 years and the prevalence of anemia obtained in this study using the Tallquist, Hemoglobin cyanide methods and PCV was 36%, 36.7% and 47.3% respectively, based on the World Health Organization criterion for the diagnosis of anemia in pregnancy (hemoglobin <11.0 g/dl; PCV <33%). Our study revealed a high prevalence of anemia in pregnant women and calls for more health intervention including health education about causes of anemia and its risk factors. Antenatal care follow up should also be improved on