A Survey of Hookworm Infection among Pupils of School Age in Jos-North, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Hookworm infection among children of school age in Jos-North Local Government Area of Plateau State. A total of 2,800 stool samples from pupils aged 3 -15 years and above, attending seven (7) primary schools were collected and bio-assayed for Hookworm ova using direct smear and formalin -ether concentration techniques. Six hundred and forty seven (647) pupils (23.11%) were found to be infected by various parasites. Parasites encountered in order of occurrence include Ascaris (8.46%), Entamoeba histolytica (5.64%), Hookworm spp (5.14%), Giardia (2.61%) and Trichuris (1.29%). The result showed that 144 of the pupils had hookworm ova in their stool samples. This accounts for 5.14% of the total population and 22.26% of the infected population. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between males and females with respect to the prevalence of the infection, although more males (86) were found to be infected than females (58). There was significant difference between the different age groups (P < 0.05), 3 -6 yrs having the highest infection rate (11.3%) while 15 yrs and above have the lowest (1.31%). The implications of the findings on the occurrence and distribution of Hookworm infection and possible control measures were highlighted. Further study is needed to identify which of the two Hookworm species is most prevalent.

Parent occupation as risk factor of hookworm infection in primary school children in Sokoto, Nigeria

“…Table environmental and sanitary conditions for learning. The observed significant association of infection with the male in this study was contrary to report by Bala and Yakubu (2010) [11] in Jos, Mu'azu et al (2017) [41] in Kano and Muhammad et al (2018) [27] in Sokoto who stated that all Gender are equally exposed to infection. However, the observed significant association of hookworm infection with males verifies a previous account of a clear sex bias in hookworm infections in Nigeria.…”

Multivariate analysis of factors associated with Schistosoma mansoni and hookworm infection among primary school children in rural Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia

“…It was comparatively lower than previous reports from different areas of Ethiopia [ 30 , 31 ], and Paraguay [ 32 ]. Higher than the present finding was reported in Gorgora [ 19 ], Mirab Abaya [ 33 ], western Ethiopia [ 34 ], south Ethiopia [ 35 ], Plateau State Nigeria [ 36 , 37 ], and Thailand [ 38 ]. The observed differences in the rate of infection could be due to variations in geography and types of soil, socio-economic conditions, hygienic practices of the population, the methods employed for stool examination and the time of the study, and sample size used.…”