World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

PREVALENCE OF SOIL TRANSMITTED HELMINTHS INFECTIONS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN UMUOHAMA UKPOR IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Amah Akuma Kalu, Ezeugwunne Ifeoma Priscilla, Ani Oluchi Emmanuella, Igwebuobi Chekwube Francis, Ogbodo Emmanuel Chukwuemeka*

ABSTRACT

Soil transmitted helminthes infections are of public health importance globally. This is a Cross-Sectional descriptive study designed to investigate the Prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminthes Infections among Primary School Children in Umuohama Community in Ukpor, Anambra State, Nigeria. A total of 90 subjects (39 males and 51 females) aged between 1 and10 years were recruited randomly from four primary schools including Umuaraba community primary school, Ohineneke central school, Umuaraba central school, and Teach them young primary school for this study. Laboratory analysis was done using standard concentration methods. The result revealed that 23.3% of subjects were infected with soil-transmitted helminthes and the prevalence was higher in females (25.5%) than in males (20.5%). Prevalence was highest among subjects aged between 1 and 5 years (29.3%). The prevalence among the schools was highest in Umuaraba community primary school (28.6%) and lowest in Teach them young primary school (14.3%), with household having between 9-12 persons with highest infection rate (84.6%). Bush method had the highest rate of prevalence of 34.5%, followed by pit latrines with prevalence of 18.8% while water closet system had the lowest infection rate with prevalence of 15.9%. The total prevalence of soil transmitted helminthes was: E. histolytica (10.9%), Ascaris lumbricoides (9.7%) and hookworm (3.2%). Therefore, provision of modern day toilet system to schools along side with public awareness campaign on personal hygiene should be encouraged as this will facilitate the reduction of soil transmitted helminthes infection.

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