Risks of intestinal helminthiasis in children living in orphanages in Benin city, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Risk factors of intestinal helminthiasis include helminths isolated. Behavioural aberrations were represented more behavioural aberrations such as finger sucking, nail biting and pica which had been found to enhance intestinal ova transmission. Objectives: To determine risk fac tors of intestinal helminthiasis in poor personal hygiene/care, and in infected subjects than the non Subjects and Methods: Fresh stool samples from 140 children (0 – 17 years) living in 10 orphanages in Benin City, were analyzed using the Kato-Katz technique for the detection of ova of helminths between January-April, 2011. Results: Prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis was 20.7%. Children ages 12 – 17 years had highest prevalence of intestinal helminths. Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura were the intestinal infected children (χ2= 3.94, p = 0.047, O.R = 2.3). use of common towel were the most significant independent predictors of intestinal helminthiasis (p = 0.017 and 0.028 respectively). Hand washing with water and soap after defeacation was significantly asso ciated with decreased prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis (p = 0.016). Conclusion: Behavioural modifica tion, good personal hygiene and provision of towels for each child living in the orphanage should be integral part of intestinal helminths control in orphanages.

Keywords

• finger sucking
• helminthiasis
• nail biting
• pica
• risk