The prevalence of hookworm infection among patients attending Sunni Private Clinic, Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted using the moist-filter paper-strip-faecal smear method for larval culture to determine the prevalence of hookworm infections among patients attending Sunni Private Clinic, Maiduguri. A total of 60 patients were examined out of which 27 (45.0%) were infected. Fifteen (55.6%) had Necator americanus, while 12(44.4%) had Ancylostoma duodenale (p>0.05). Male patients were more infected (52.0%) compared to the females with (40.0%) (p>0.05). Age groups of < 20 years were significantly (p<0.05) more infected (65.4%) compared to those of >20 years with (29.4%). The mean ± SD packed cell volume values (PCV %) for male and female patients were 34.5 ± 7.8 and 30.0 ± 2.8 respectively, while for the ages <20 and >20 years were 31.0 ± 1.4 and 35.0 ± 7.1 respectively. These findings are discussed with reference to the improvement of sanitary conditions and health education programme of the metropolitan communities.