Epidemiology of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis Among Pre-School Children in Ijebu-Jesa, Southwest, Nigeria (Published)
A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2012 and June 2013 among children aged 0-60 months attending monthly clinic organized by St. Andrew’s Clinic for Children (STACC) with a view to determining the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) among pre-school children. The study also identified the associated risk factors for Ascaris lumbricoides infections. Fresh faecal sample were collected from 223 children randomly selected into the labeled sample bottle in addition to a pretested questionnaire to collect demographic information from parents of these children. The faecal samples were homogenized, processed in the laboratory by modified Kato-Katz technique and then examined for Soil-transmitted helminthes eggs using light microscope at a magnification of x100. The data collected were analysed using SPSS statistical software Version 17.0.Of the 223 children examined, 73 (32.7%) were positive for at least one helminth. The prevalences of the helminths eggs were 31.4% for Ascaris lumbricoides, 1.8% for T. trichiura, 0.9% for hookworm and 0.5% for Strongyloides stercoralis. The prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminthes (STHs) increased with age; however, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the prevalence of infection between the two sexes. A co-infection of A. lumbricoides was the dominant infection. The lowest prevalence and intensity (15.6%; 31.27 10.83), highest prevalence 58.3% and intensity (1943.33 ± 908.80) occurred in children aged 48-59 months. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that the pattern of A. lumbricoides infection was strongly influenced by animal ownership.
Keywords: Ascaris lumbricoides, Kato-Katz technique, Nigeria; Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), Pre-School Children