Seasonal Prevalence, Intensity and Risk Factors of Geohelminthiasis among Children in Peri-Urban Settings, Abraka, Southern, Nigeria

Abstract

Geohelminthiasis among children in the Abraka metropolis is a serious public health concern. Atotal of 217 (124 and 93 for dry and wet seasons  respectively) schoolchildren between the ages of 4-12 years old were subjected to seasonal parasitological examination using structured questionnaires  and Kato-Katz techniques. A prevalence of 62.90 and 79.56% for dry and wet seasons were established with A. lumbricoides having the highest  prevalence. Statistically, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in geohelminths/coinfections and their seasonal prevalence. Principal component  analysis revealed that wet season correlated positively with Ascaris lumbricoides, A. lumbricoides + Trichuris trichiura and 2 moderately with T. trichiura and  T. trichiura + hookworm and hookworm. Chi-square (χ ) analysis revealed that the association in gender prevalence was not significant (p > 0.05) in both  seasons. The seasonal age prevalence was not significantly different (p > 0.05) except for T. trichiura whose age-gender prevalence in the wet season was  considered significant (p < 0.05). Geometric logarithmic mean EPG was higher in the dry season than wet season and the difference was not statistically  significant (p > 0.05). Personal hygiene as a risk factor showed that geohelminths were significantly (p <0.05) influenced by toilet paper usage, wadding in  stagnant waters, washing anal with hand after defecation, eating with unwashed 2 hands, and walking bare-footed. However, χ showed no significant  association in seasonal prevalence for all risk factors. Hookworm and T. trichiura prevalence was greatly (p < 0.05) influenced by parents’ economic status,  toilet facilities and waste disposal. Open garbage sites respondents exhibited the highest geohelminth prevalence. However, the water source  was not significantly affected (p > 0.05). The risk factors posed by the environment are less significant compared to personal hygiene. The seasons played  a significant role in the prevalence of geohelminths. The public health importance of these findings and the need to promote health education on  sanitation, eating habits and defecation are important in Abraka and its environs.