ABSTRACT
Soil Transmitted Helminths (STHs) are of great Public Health importance. The present study was designed to evaluate the prevalence and pattern of STHs among Primary School Children at Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. 250 school children aged 1-12 years were randomly recruited from 5 major primary schools at Nnewi between January and June 2017. 95 (38%) were males while 155 (62%) were females. Stool samples were collected using universal sterile containers and examined microscopically using saline floatation method. Out of the 250 pupils examined, 105 (42%) were positive for at least one STH. 40 (42.1%) of the males examined were positive while 65 (41.9%) of the females were positive. There was no significant difference between sexes (P > 0.05). Children aged 1-5 years had the highest prevalence (62.2%), followed by those aged 6-8 years (33.3). Children aged 9-12 years had the least prevalence. Prevalence was significantly different between the different age groups (P < 0.05). Among the STHs isolated, Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent (22%), followed by Hookworm (14%). The least prevalent was Trichuris trichiura (6%). No case of mixed infection was detected. The study concludes that STHs are of immense public Health importance in primary School children at Nnewi and efforts should be intensified to promote health education, personal hygiene and sanitation and regular deworming of school children.
ABSTRACT
Background: Osteoarthritis is a major cause of disability and incapacitation Worldwide. Aim: To evaluate the epidemiology and pattern of osteoarthritis at Ogbaku, Imo State University Teaching Hospital annex, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State, South-east Nigeria. Study Design: A retrospective epidemiological study. Methodology: One hundred and six case notes of patients managed for osteoarthritis between January 2009 and October 2010 were studied. Simple statistical methods like percentages were used for data analysis. Results: Out of 106 cases studied, 72(67.9%) were females while 43(32.1%) were males. The highest percentage of cases (34%) occurred in people aged 65-74 years followed by people aged 55-64 years (24.5%). Younger people (45-54 years) were the least affected. Farmers (24.5%) were the most affected occupational group followed by athletes (18.9%) and then traders (17%). Civil servants were the least affected. The knee (41.5%) was the most frequently affected joint followed by the hip (22.6%). The least affected joints were the wrist (1.9%) and the elbow (1.9%). Conclusion: The study shows that osteoarthritis occurred most in people aged 65-74 yrs and the knee was the most frequently affected joint in the body.