The Incidence of Geohelminth Eggs Among Primary SchoolPupils in Kaduna State, North West, Nigeria

Abstract

The life cycle of Geohelminths requires soil for incubation before becoming infective. The infections of these parasites constitute a major health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Methodology: This study was carried out to investigate the incidence of Geohelminths among Primary School Pupils, in Unguwan Kadara, Kaduna State. Three hundred and fifty (350) stool samples were collected. The formal ethyl acetate concentration Technique was used to analyze the Stool samples. Results: Our study revealed the overall prevalence of these Geohelmiths to be 22.6%. Hoewever, for Hookworm infection it was 14.0 %, Ascaris lumbricoides and Taenia spp were 3.1% each and Schistosoma mansoni infection was 2.3 %. The infectivity by age revealed that, (3-5) years had total infectivity of 14.4%, (6-8) years 26.1%, (9-11) years 28.9%, 12-14 years 18.9% and 15 years and above had 50.0% but the difference statistically not significant (p>0.05). Furthermore, infectivity by class distribution showed that primary one,2,3,4,5 and 6 had total infectivity of 15.0%, 23.3%, 23.3%, 33.3%, 20.0% and 20.0% respectively but the statistical difference was not significant (p>0.05). The difference in levels of pupils' knowledge of Geohelminths was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Intensive and continuous health education, provision of pipe-borne water, improved environmental sanitation and continuous deworming campaigns in this community will help in reducing the incidence of Geohelminthiasis in Kaduna state.