Helminthiasis and Hygiene Conditions of Schools in Ikenne, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundA study of the helminth infection status of primary-school children and the hygiene condition of schools in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria was undertaken between November 2004 and February 2005 to help guide the development of a school-based health programme.Methods and FindingsThree primary schools were randomly selected: two government-owned schools (one urban and the other rural) and one urban private school. No rural private schools existed to survey. A total of 257 schoolchildren aged 4–15 y, of whom 146 (56.8%) were boys and 111 (43.2%) were girls, took part in the survey. A child survey form, which included columns for name, age, sex, and class level, was used in concert with examination of stool samples for eggs of intestinal helminths. A school survey form was used to assess the conditions of water supply, condition of latrines, presence of soap for handwashing, and presence of garbage around the school compound. The demographic data showed that the number of schoolchildren gradually decreased as their ages increased in all three schools. The sex ratio was proportional in the urban school until primary level 3, after which the number of female pupils gradually decreased, whereas in the private school, sexes were proportionally distributed even in higher classes. The prevalence of helminth infection was 54.9% of schoolchildren in the urban government school, 63.5% in the rural government school, and 28.4% in the urban private school. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent species, followed by Trichuris trichiura, Taenia species, and hookworm in the three schools. Prevalence of infection in the government-owned schools was significantly higher than in the private school (χ 2 = 18.85, df = 2, p<0.0005). A survey of hygiene conditions in the three schools indicated that in the two government schools tapwater was unavailable, sanitation of latrines was poor, handwashing soap was unavailable, and garbage was present around school compounds. In the private school, in contrast, all hygiene indices were satisfactory.ConclusionsThese results indicate that burden of parasite infections and poor sanitary conditions are of greater public health importance in government-owned schools than in privately owned schools. School health programmes in government-owned schools, including deworming, health education, and improvement of hygiene conditions are recommended.

Healthful School Environment: A Comparative Study of Public and Private Primary Schools in Ogun State, Nigeria

“…Similar fi ndings were reported from the study at Obio-Akpor Local Government Area [23] and in Ikenne [22]. They showed absent functional toilets in Public Schools.…”

“…This was similar to the study in Edo state where soap was present in 33% of the schools studied and 88% of them were Private Schools [14]. Others studies reported absence of hand washing soaps in the schools [18][19][20][21][22]. The study is a sharp contrast to that in the Schools in the Bloomberg Health District of London where 75-78% had soap and water for hand washing [24].…”

“…They will also become exposed to accidents and unnecessary hazards in their attempts to obtain clean water outside the school premises. that did not [22]. All the schools in the Rivers study (100%) practiced open dumping and burning [18].…”

Water Resource, Hygienic Practice, and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis in Some Rural Communities of Osun State, Nigeria

“…Although, the findings of Ekpo et al (2008) in Ogun State, Nigeria have highlighted the relationship between helminthiasis and hygiene practices in school children [13]. There is an urgent need to provide evidence, if any, on the impact of current provision of community-based WASH resources on the transmission and control of STHs.…”

School health programme practices among private secondary school administrators in an urban local government area in Lagos state, Nigeria

“…5 Many of these children are not without health challenges and the common health problems among them include malaria, respiratory tract infections, malnutrition, worm infestations, injuries due to accidents/falls and problems of adolescents such as teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, drug and alcohol abuse. 6,7 It is universally recognized that the health of school children deserves special attention and in order to derive the maximum benefit from the educational programme, the child must be healthy physically, mentally and emotionally. 8 Research has shown that School Health Programmes can reduce the prevalence of health risk behaviors among young people and have a positive effect on academic performance.…”