Hookworm Infection in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of infection, geographical, seasonal and age group distribution of the parasites in the state. The study which was prospective and cross-sectional, lasted during the period May 2008 to April 2009. The study was carried out in all the Local Government Areas in Edo state. The participants were one hundred children drawn randomly from primary and junior secondary schools and twenty adult farmers in the community. Stool samples were collected from the participants for analysis. Identification of parasites was by examination of direct fecal smear with the light microscope after the method of Cheesebrough. The prevalence of hookworm parasites was 3.5%. There was a significant age difference in infection rate between ages 1year-50yrs.and 51-80 yrs (p<0.05). Other intestinal parasites found were Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Entamoeba coli. There was no significant difference in both monthly prevalence and in the various local government areas (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in infection rate between ages one year to fifty years and fifty one years to eighty years. Software package was (Gen Stat Release 8.1). The study identified hookworm infection as a disease which largely affects children and farmers as a result of habit and occupation. Control measures should therefore be targeted at children and farmers who are much predisposed to the infection.

Keywords: Prevalence; hookworm infection; skin penetration, endemicity

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 33 [1] March 2012, pp. 67-72