ABSTRACT
Aims: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic helminth eggs in the fingernails of “Almajiris” in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area in Jigawa State, Nigeria and to determine the source of the infection as an indicator of the overall hygienic standard of “Almajiris” from such areas. Study Design: Cross-sectional Survey. Place and Duration of Study: The study area was Birnin Kudu Local Government Area in Jigawa State, Nigeria. However, the research was conducted in the Faculty of Science and Science Education, Department of Biology, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Nigeria between January 2014 and April 2014. Methodology: The study was conducted among Qur’anic school pupils (Almajiris) attending three different Qur’anic schools in Birnin Kudu, Jigawa state. Simple random sampling technique was employed in selecting the 383 “Almajiris” (age ranges from 7 years to 30 years) recruited for this study. Swab samples from the fingernails were subjected to Salt Floatation Technique and the nail clippings were analyzed using concentration method and eggs of parasites were identified by characteristic egg morphology using standard procedures. Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasitic helminthes among the overall population studied was 54.8% (210 of 383). The parasites isolated from the fingernails of the Almajiris are: 29.5% Ascaris lumbricoides, 24.3% Hookworm, 19.0% Enterobius vermicularis, 8.1% Trichuris trichuria as well as mixed infections involving Ascaris lumbricoides and Hookworm, 6.7%; Hookwom and T. trichuira, 5.7%; Ascaris lumbricoides and Enterobius vermicularis, 4.2% and that between Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis and Trichuris trichuria, 2.3%. The difference between the intestinal helminths was not significant (P-value = 1.00). There were significant variation in relation to the infection among the three qur’anic schools (P-value=.001). Age group between 11-15 years had the highest infection of 60.2% but this was not significant (P-value = 1.00). Conclusion: The study revealed high prevalence of intestinal helminth parasites in the fingernails of “Almajiris” and if not controlled, it may cause colossal health challenges to the community. This underscores the importance of teaching hand washing and personal hygiene to “Almajiris” and their teachers, otherwise known as “Malams” as well as inculcating the habit of periodic deworming exercise.