Evaluation of hookworm infections and some haematological parameters amongst primary and secondary schools children in Aba Metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Hookworm infections and some haematological parameter among children were assessed in five different schools in Aba metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria. Blood and Stool samples were collected and analysed, following ethical approval and consent from parents and teachers of the subjects. Stool samples were analyzed using standard parasitological technique, from the blood samples, Haemoglobin (Hb) levels, Esinophils and white blood cell counts (WBC) were determined. Out of 1500 samples examined, 120 (8.0%) were positive for Hookworm infection. There was variation in infection rate by school and there is significant difference in the prevalence of Hookworm infection within the schools (P<0.05). Sex related prevalence showed that infection was higher in females 8.17% than in males 7.89%. It was observed that hookworm infection is dependent on sex and age (P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between hookworm infection and Haemoglobin levels both in female and male subjects. Eosinophil count and hookworm infection by sex and age revealed that there is a correlation between hookworm infection and eosinophilia counts. There was an increase in eosinophilia with high rate of hookworm infection in the age group of 10 -13 years. This result showed that there is higher value of eosinophilia in female children than in male children (P < 0.05). White blood cell counts (WBC) showed a proportional variation with hookworm infection in both male and female (P<0.05). In conclusion, Hookworm infection is relatively high among the children in Aba metropolis and the relationships between hookworm infection and Haemoglobin, Eosinophil and white blood cells were established. ©JASEM http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v20i4.5

Prevalence and intensity of hookworm infection in relation to anaemia among primary school pupils in Lafia rural areas

“…This suggested that this age group contribute more to the transmission of hookworm infection than other age groups. Dada-Adegbola et al (2005), Ezeaguna et al (2010) and Abah and Wokem (2016) supported this finding and reported the highest prevalence among children aged 12-17 years, than other age groups. These corroborate Crompton (2000) who suggested that teenagers and pregnant women were more at risk of hookworm and hookworm diseases such as iron deficiency anaemia than any other age group.…”

“…of Abah and Wokem (2016) in Aba Metropolis, Abia State, Adeyeba and Tijani (2002), Odebunmi et al, (2007) and Kemajou et al (2017) in Igbo-ora in Oyo State, Vom, Plateau and Elele, Rivers-State Nigeria, respectively. The environment of these schools and the socio-cultural habits of the pupils could be responsible for the relatively high prevalence of hookworm infection in these areas.…”

“…Anaemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the haemoglobin concentration within them is lower than normal (Claveland Clinic Medical Professional, 2020). Anyone can develop aneamia, although Children, adolescent and Women have a higher risk of infection (Abah and Arene, 2016;Abah and Arene, 2015;Abah and Wokem 2016). Losing small amounts of blood over a long period of time makes the body loses more iron than it is able to replace with food (Claveland Clinic Medical Professional, 2020).…”

“…The worm infection is rarely fatal, but anaemia can be significant in a heavily infected individual (Brooker and Michael, 2000;Nguyen et al, 2006;Grimes et al, 2017). Anaemia is estimated to affect half the school-age children and adolescents in developing countries (Favour et al, 2011;Abah and Wokem, 2016;Kemajou et al, 2017) and low haemoglobin was associated with hookworm intensity in children aged and adolescent (Stoltzfus et al, 2000) and patients with underlying iron and protein nutritional deficiencies (Beaver et al, 1984).…”

“…Once infected, children are more vulnerable to developing morbidity because dietary intake often fails to compensate for intestinal losses of iron and protein, especially in developing countries (Abah and Arene, 2016;Abah and Arene, 2015;Abah and Wokem, 2016). Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale, the two major species of human hookworms are sympatric over much of their distribution and people are often simultaneously infected with both species in endemic areas (Chollom et al, 2012).…”