Absence of Latrines, Potable Water and Good Hygiene on the Prevalence of Geohelminth Infestation in Etulo and Makurdi Communities in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

A comparative study of the availability or absence of latrines and potable water as they affect the prevalence of geohelminth infestation was studied in Benue State, using the rural area of Etulo and urban town of Makurdi. Stool samples were obtained from 1,518 people in Etulo with questionnaires on the use of potable water and 1,433 people in Makurdi metropolis with similar questionnaires. Using simple nigrosin blue concentration method and microscopy, 1,230 (81%) of the people in Etulo were observed to have been infested with one nematode or the other as against 685 (47%) of the people of Makurdi metropolis (p<0.05). Infection by age groups in Etulo showed higher prevalence among adults (52%) than among school children (47%), but with no significant difference in their percentages of infections (P>0.05). On the contrary, infection by age groups in Makurdi showed higher prevalence among the school children (70%) than among the volunteer adults (29%), with a significant difference in their percentages of infections (P<0.05). The wider and unrestricted spread of these parasites in rural areas of Etulo may be attributed to improper disposal of fecal wastes. Intervention by ways of providing latrines, potable water and educating the people on poor hygiene habits, regular deworming exercises coupled with legislation against indiscriminate disposal of faeces and its enforcement is therefore recommended for the rural area of Etulo and in Makurdi metropolis.