OCCURRENCE OF GEOHELMINTH EGGS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN UNGUWANKADARA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Introduction: Geohelminths are parasites whose infections constitute a major health
challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Their life cycle requires soil for incubation before becoming
infective.
Aims: This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of Geohelminths among Primary
School Pupils, in Unguwan Kadara, Kaduna State.
Methods: Three hundred and fifty (350) stool samples were collected. The formal ethyl
acetate concentration Technique was used to analyze the Stool samples.
Results: The overall prevalence was found to be 22.6%. Hookworm infection was 14.0 %,
Ascaris lumbricoides and Taenia spp were 3.1% each and Schistosoma mansoni infection
was 2.3 %. The infectivity by age showed that 3-5 years had total infectivity of 14.4%, 6-8
years 26.1%, 9-11 years 28.9%, 12-14 years 18.9% and 15 years and above had 50.0% but
the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05).Infectivity by class showed that
primary one (1) had total infectivity of 15.0%, primary two (2) had 23.3%, primary three (3)
23.3%, primary four (4) 33.3%, primary five (5) 20.0% and primary six (6) 20.0% but the
difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05).Infectivity by gender showed that
Females have a total infectivity of 21.7% while males had an infectivity of 23.4% but the
difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The difference in levels of pupils' knowledge of Geohelminths was statistically
significant (P<0.05). Intensive health education, provision of pipe-borne water, improved
environmental sanitation and continuous deworming campaigns in this community were
recommended.