Geohelminthiasis and Its Risk Factors Among Pupils in Unubi Community, Nnewi South Local Government Area

Abstract

Geohelminthiasis is a public health problem in Nigeria. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors involved in the transmission of geohelminthiasis. A total of 250 pupils from seven primary (three public, two private, and two mission) schools in Unubi, Anambra State, Nigeria participated in the study from June to November 2023. A total of 250 stool samples were collected from pupils and analyzed using wet mount preparation and formol-ether concentration technique to detect positive samples. Information on pupils’ risk factors for helminthiasis was elicited through questionnaires. Chi-square test was used to compare differences among variables at 95% confidence level. A total of 53 samples were positive for geohelminth eggs, giving an overall prevalence of 21.2% but only single infections with ova of Ascaris lumbricoides (12.8%), hookworm species 4.4%, and Trichuris trichiura 4.0% were encountered (P0.05). Males were more infected (22.5%) than females (19.6%) (P>0.05). Pupils from public schools had 30.6% prevalence and mission schools had 11.11% (P<0.05). This study highlighted potential health threats by geohelminths and calls for strategic deworming in the study area.

Keywords

• Ascaris lumbricoides
• Trichuris trichiura
• Geohelminthiasis