The prevalence and intensity of soil transmitted helminths in a rural community, Lagos suburb, South West Nigeria.

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and intensity of soil transmitted helminth parasites among residents of Era-Awori village located in a Lagos suburb, South West Nigeria. The results showed an overall prevalence of 83.3% of helminths, from 300 participants (149 males & 151 females). A total of 134 males (44.7%) and 126 females (42.0%) were positive as parasites. Four soil transmitted helminths were reported, namely Ascaris lumbricoides (67.7%), Hookworm (45.0%), Trichuris trichiura (31.3%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (18.0%). Children (1-10 years) showed higher positive rates with T. trichiura 40 (38.1%) than adults 06 (17.6%). Multiple parasitic infections was least in the 51-60, 09 (36.0%) and 61-80 years, 08 (47.1%) age groups; while it reached a peak in the 1-10 years, 66 (62.9%) and 11-20 years, 33 (66.0%) age groups. Multiple infections were recorded in 170 (56.7%) of participants, while 08 (27.0%) had single infection and 49 (16.3%) no infection at all. The egg load per gram of faeces (EPG) among males ranged between 202.0 and 2369.79, while that for females was 325.0 and 3184.8. Differences in the levels of infection between the sexes were not significant. Educational standard did not reduce positive rates of infection. Data suggested that soil transmitted helminths are important public health problems hence actions is imperative against deficiencies in sanitary facilities, improper disposal of human faeces, insufficient supplies of potable water, poor personal hygiene and substandard housing.