Diane Akudo Avoaja
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Nigeria
Title: Prevalence of geohelminth parasites among pupils in selected school in Obizi-Ezinihitte local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria
Biography
Biography: Diane Akudo Avoaja
Abstract
Prevalence of geohelminth parasites among three randomly selected primary schools (Town, Central and Migrant) in Obizi-Ezinihitte local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria was undertaken. Study was carried out from March to August, 2014. A total of 429 soil samples from school compounds and 429 stool samples from pupils were examined first using unaided eyes, then direct saline, iodine wet mount and saturated sodium chloride floatation techniques. Overall results showed 42 (9.8%) soil and 257 (60.0%) stool samples positive. Prevalence of soils, first using unaided eyes, then microscopically showed Ascaris lumbricoides 26 (6.1%) and hookworm eggs 14 (3.3%) with 2 (0.5%) hookworm larvae. Stool showed eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides 144 (32.9%) and hookworms 108 (25.2%). Multiple infections 16 (3.7%) were observed. Regularly and occasionally geophagists recorded high prevalence 102 (76.1%) and 81 (57.7%) respectively than non-geophagists 74 (47.7%). Prevalence was in that order, Central school 93 (58.1%), Migrant 59 (46.7%) and Town 97 (11.6%). Prevalence was higher among females 144 (61.5%) than males 113 (57.9%) though not statistically significant (p>0.05) with ANOVA. Pupils aged 8-10 years had highest prevalence of 104 (61.9%) while 11-13 years had lowest 81 (56.6%). Pupils in primary two had highest prevalence 32 (64.0%) while primary five had lowest 32 (48.5%). Traders’ and farmers’ children had highest prevalence 90 (61.2%) and 125 (59.0%) respectively. Findings indicated helminth parasites in soils. Health education and regular de-worming programs could be methods of control measures.