ABSTRACT
Aims: This study was carried out to assess aspects of the epidemiology of hookworm infection and the influence of some epidemiological factors on their prevalence in some farming communities in Afikpo South L.G.A. of Ebonyi State. Study Design: This was a laboratory-based observational study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Department of Applied Biology Laboratory, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria between May, 2013 and November, 2013. Methodology: A total of 442 stool samples from school children and adults were collected and examined using direct smear and formol-ether concentration techniques for the presence of the parasite eggs. Results: Out of the 442 examined, 35(7.9%) samples were positive for hookworm infections. Other helminthic infections observed were Ascaris lumbricoides 192(43.4%) and Trichuris trichiura 4(0.9%). The only mixed infections were seen between hookworm and Ascaris lumbricoides which recorded 21(4.8%) prevalence. There was no significant difference in the rate of infection with hookworm between the different age groups (X2=2.68; P>0.05), though 8-14 years age group had the highest infection rate (9.8%) while those between 21-30 had the lowest (3.5%). The sex distribution showed a higher infection rate in females with prevalence of 22(9.0%) while 13(6.6%) cases were recorded among the males, however, there was no significant difference in infection rate between the sexes (X2=0.90; P>0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that the occurrence and distribution of hookworm and other geohelminth infections were still high in Afikpo South L.G.A. despite the periodic deworming exercises by the governmental and non-governmental agencies. The different epidemiological factors analyzed including farming, use of streams and open defaecation presented the highest risk factors for hookworm infections. Hence, provision of portable drinking water, adequate sanitary disposal of faeces and refuse, health education on the mode of transmission of hookworm and improved personal hygiene should be integrated into the periodic deworming exercises for optimum result.
ABSTRACT
The study was carried out to determine the prevalence of intestinal nematodes infection in school children between February and April 2009. Eight hundred feacal samples were examined using direct smear method. Of this number; 204 (25.5;) infected with the parasites of intestinal nematodes were Ascaris lumbricoides (20.0); Strongyloides stercoralis; (0.4) Hookworm (3.5) and Trichuris trichuria (1.3) implicated. Sex was found to be a strong factor influencing their prevalence. Chi square test with statistical significance difference (p0.05) was used for the analysis. The study revealed that Ascaris lumbricoides had the highest prevalence of infection among the parasites implicated. However; regular deworming exercise with albendazole and other possible diagnosis methods will improve the health status of the infected children. Personal hygiene and health campaign programmes should be carried out to the general public on the importance of control and possible eradication of the parasite