Background: Geophagy is wide spread among pregnant women in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess intestinal nematode infections among geophagous pregnant women in Southern Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Methods: Pregnant women were aged 17-45 years at gestational ages of ≥ 14 to 24 weeks on hospital enrolment were sampled. Data on geophagy was collected using structured questionnaire. Gastrointestinal nematode status of the participants was determined by stool analyses. Soil types ingested were examined for intestinal nematode ova / larvae. Results: The prevalence of geophagy (46.4%) was associated with socio-demographic characteristics. Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm were associated with geophagy while Trichuris trichiura and Strongyloides stercoralis had no association. Prevalence of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and S. stercoralis differed significantly (p<0.05) between geophagous and non-geophagous women. The soil types consumed had eggs / larvae of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura. Geophagy is a risk behaviour directly associated with A. lumbricoides, hookworm, T. trichiura, and to a lesser extent S. stercoralis infection among pregnant women. Conclusion: Sensitization and mass education of pregnant women on the dangers of geophagy is needed. Furthermore, deworming of pregnant women should be integrated into the healthcare delivery system of the State.

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The length-weight relationships and conditions of Citharinus c tharus and Alestes baremoze from Anambra River were invest gated from September 2007-March 2008. Analys s of the size ranges of the two f shes showed that C. citharinus was heavier than A. baremoze but A. baremoze was long than C. citharus. Both fishes showed only one peak each in their size dis ribution indicating that they belonged to the same size or year c ass. There was highly significant relationship between the body weights and standard lengths of C. citharinus and A. baremoze (P < 0.001). The Kn va ues for the two fishes were fairly equal but the mean K. values showed that C c tharinus was more robust and in a better state of "well being" than A. baremoze. The results were discussed of similar studies, particularly the importance of the condition factor in the study of the biology of the f sh population.

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