Bionomics of Geohelminth Nematodes in Contaminated Foci in Parts of Abua Communities, Niger Delta, Nigeria (A)

Abstract

A combined field and laboratory investigation was conducted on the bionomics of geohelminths in contaminated foci in Abua communities using the Cobb’s decanting and sieving method. The result of the study showed that eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides were 262 (44%), hookworm, 173 (29%) and Trichuris trichiura, 102 (17%). The larvae of hookworm recovered were 323(54%) and no larvae of Ascaris and Trichuris were recovered. Combination of eggs and larvae recovered from the study, showed that hookworm larvae were 496 (83%), Ascaris eggs, 317 (53%), and Trichuris eggs, 102 (17%). It was observed that hookworm eggs and larvae were the most abundant, followed by Ascaris eggs and Trichuris eggs. The result of the study was statistically significant at 0.05% level (f-test = 6. 957, p>0.05). The above indicates that the occurrence of these geohelminths was dependent on the contaminated foci with human faeces. The implication of this, is that human population in the study area should be discouraged from passing out faeces at common spots, considering the health hazard and other complications arising from geohelminth infections.