Effects of Physicochemical Parameters on Prevalence of Geohelminths in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

Geohelminths (soil-transmitted helminths) tend to thrive in moist soil conditions, and the poor hygiene systems of underdeveloped  countries have enhanced their transmission at an alarming rate. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the effects of soil  type, pH, and temperature on geohelminths found in soil samples from Mkpat Enin LGA, Akwa Ibom State. The soil samples were examined using the centrifugal floatation method for geohelminth eggs and larvae. Among the 200 soil samples examined, an overall  prevalence of 67.0% was recorded. Geohelminths recovered were Ascaris lumbricoides, which contaminated 38 (28.36%), Trichuris  trichiura 27(20.15 %), hookworms 26(19.40 %), Strongyloides stercoralis 24(17.91 %), and Toxocara canis 19(14.18 %) soil samples. Soil  samples obtained from farmlands and toilets had a higher contamination rate (82 %) than those from schools and roadsides (68.0% and 36.0%, respectively). Loamy soil recorded 77(66.38%) contaminated soil o samples at a mean temperature of 28.7 C ± 0.1, and pH of 6.9 ±  0.03, compared to o sandy soil with 32(69.57 %) at a mean temperature of (27.5 C ± 0.3) and pH of 5.7 o ± 0.04, then clayey soil with  25(65.79 %) at a mean temperature of 27.0 C ± 0.1 and pH of 5.3 ± 0.04. There was no significant correlation between the prevalence of  each geohelminth and soil type, temperature, or pH. The type of soil, soil temperature within the measured range, and soil alkalinity as  measured do not appear to be major factors influencing the overall prevalence of geohelminths. The analysis also showed that these  factors do not have a strong influence on the prevalence of individual geohelminth species. The eggs of these geohelminths were more  abundant than their larvae. Periodic deworming programmes, health education, and improved sanitation will ultimately reduce the  transmission of geohelminths.