Geohelminth eggs in the soil and stool of pupils of some primary schools in Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Samples of soil from yards and stool from pupils in six public and private primary schools in Samaru, Zaria were examined for geohelminh eggs towards highlighting the public health significance of contaminating soil with faeces. Of the 1,120 soil and 800 stool sample examined using the ZnSO4 centrifugal floatation technique and microscopy, 12.0% and 52.0% were positive, respectively. Eggs of Ascaris sp (4.6%), Trichuris sp (4.0%) hookworm (2.8%,) Toxocara sp (0.4%), and Strongyloides sp (0.2%) were recovered from he soil. The stool samples contained eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides (9.3%) and eggs/larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis (1.5%). The prevalence in soil was not influenced by the apparent cleanliness of the environment of the private schools in contrast to the environment of the private schools in contrast to the very dirty state of the public schools (p>0.05), nor was the prevalence in the public influenced by heir sex or age (p>0.05). The wide and unrestricted spread of the prevalence/ infection is attributable to indiscriminate disposal of faeces in and around the school the yards and Samaru in general. Intervention by way of education on poor hygiene habits and coupled with legislation against indiscriminate disposal of faeces and is enforcement, is recommended.

The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 24 2003: 115-122