PATTERN OF OCCURRENCE OF HUMAN INTESTINAL GEOHELMINTHIASIS INFECTION IN TROPICAL COMMUNITIES’ SCHOOLS OF ANAMBRA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

Geogastrointestinal parasitic infections have remained a major public health problem in the developing countries over the years, with increasing and sustained risk factors including open defecation, poor personal and food hygiene, and poor environment sanitation. The major aim of this study is to assess the impact of water sanitation and hygiene intervention undertaken by EU and UNICEF to eliminate diseases associated with poor hygiene and water in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria. Informed consent was sought from the respondent’s, structured questionnaire was administered and fecal specimens was collected from 650 individuals. Direct wet mount and formol ethylether concentration technique were used to analyze the fecal specimens. Out of the 650 examined 119(18.31%) were infected. The highest prevalence rate was recorded in Ascaris lumbricoides 27(4.15%), followed by Hookworm 11(1.69%), Trichuris trichiura 8(1.23%) and the least being Strongloides stercoralis 2(0.31%). Gastrointestinal helminthes infections not sex related as females 61(18.65%) were insignificantly infected more than the males 58(17.96%) (p>0.05).Age group 31 – 40 years recorded the highest prevalence 21(25.93%) followed by 11 – 20 years, 36(19.35%); > 40 years 11(18.97), 21 – 30 years 28(16.97) whereas 0 – 10 years recorded the least prevalence of 23 (14.38%). This study reveals that water sanitation and hygiene intervention exerted a significant positive impact in view of the low overall prevalence recorded. Sustainability of this program with adequate funding by Town Unions, Anambra State and Federal Government is highly important.