Prevalence and intensity of geohelminths infection in Oba-Ile Community of Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study has determined the prevalence and intensity of geohelminth infections and the effect of some epidemiological
factors on their distribution in Oba Ile, Osun State, Nigeria. The study was conducted between November 2004 and March
2005. Of 489 school children examined, 76.9% harboured Ascaris lumbricoides while 54.6% and 29.2% had hookworm and
Trichuris trichiura respectively. The prevalence and intensity of all the three species of geohelminths significantly (p<0.001)
varied with age and sex of pupils, with peaks prevalence and intensity occurring in the 6-10 years' age-group. A co-infection
of A. lumbricoides and hookworm was the commonest (58.6%) multiple infection. Statistical analysis showed that walking
barefoot was the only risk factor for hookworm infection at regular (OR 4.39, 95%CL 2.59-7.45, p<0.001) and occasional
levels (OR 2.24, 95% CL 1.16-4.30, p<0.016) while licking of fingers and drinking from hand-dug well, or surface tank were
high risk factors for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections. Geophagous pupils were at significantly increased risk of
having the three species of geohelminths at both regular and occasional levels.

Keywords: geohelminths, prevalence, intensity, infection determinants.

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 27 2006: pp.62-67