Prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminths Among School Children in Aliade, Gwer- East Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives: Soil-transmitted helminthes (STHs) refer to the intestinal worms infecting humans that are transmitted through contaminated soil. STH is endemic in Nigeria. This study determined the prevalence among school aged children in Aliade, Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Setting: The study was carried out among pupils aged 5-20 years from four schools in the Government Area. Participants: Stool samples were collected from 342 pupils, 196(57.3%) male and 146(42.7%) female and examined for helminth eggs using Direct wet mount method and Formol Ether Concentration technique. Chi square was used to compare the relationship between variables. Results: Overall prevalence of 96(28.1%) was recorded. Prevalence among male 55(28.1%) and female 41(28.1%) indicated no statistical significance(P=0.997). Eggs of three helminthes, Ascaris lumbricoides, Hookworm, and Trichuris trichiura were observed with prevalence of 18.1%, 9.1% and 1.8% respectively. Prevalence of A. lumbricoides among the male pupils (21.9%) was significantly different compared to prevalence among the female (13.0%) (P=0.034). while Hookworm exhibited higher prevalence among female (31.7%) than male (5.6%), this difference was statistically significant. Age group 9-12years had the highest overall prevalence of 32.1% closely followed by group 5-8years (29.4%), while least prevalence of 10.9% was observed in group13-16 years. There was a significant difference in prevalence by age among the pupils (P= 0.036). Playing in soil and eating of unwashed fruits were found to have a relationship with STHs infection among the children. The two factors have a statistically significant difference(P≤0.05). Conclusions: The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections in Aliade, Gwer-East L.G.A is moderate (28.1%). Community health education and good sanitary and hygienic practices are essential in preventing soil-transmitted helminthiasis.