SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHS CO-INFECTED WITH SCHISTOSOMA IN FLOOD-PLAIN COMMUNITIES, SOUTHERN, NIGERIA

ITO, E. E.; EGWUNYENGA, A. O

doi:10.21608/jesp.2023.331745

SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHS CO-INFECTED WITH SCHISTOSOMA IN FLOOD-PLAIN COMMUNITIES, SOUTHERN, NIGERIA

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria

10.21608/jesp.2023.331745

Abstract

This study evaluated the soil transmitted helminths (STH) and Schistosoma co-infection and
its epidemiological factors in flood subjected communities. Fecal samples from 672 consented
individuals between 5-24 years in Aviara, Igbide, Otor-Owhe and Owhelogbo community
were examined using Kato-Katz technique and questionnaires. Of 672 samples, 434(64.58%)
were infected with STHs and Schistosoma mansoni co-infections. The parasites in a descending
were Ascaris lumbricoides (56.40%), Trichuris trichiura (54.32%), hookworm (38.69%)
and S. mansoni (7.59%), with significant differences. Female 325 (48.36%) were more infected
than male 317(47.17%). But, among all communities, there was no significant difference in
gender prevalence. The general prevalence correlated to infection intensity. Ages of 5-9 years
old were more vulnerable to STHs infections. Helminthes was not significant (p<0.05) with
age of children except A. lumbricoides which significantly different with age (t = 5.16, 95% CI
= 5.44 and 60.12, P = 0.036). Age-community prevalence accounted for <0.1% of total variance
(P = 0.859, F = 0.033). Effect of toilet type, toilet paper and washing of hands after defecation
was significant (P<0.05). ANOVA showed a strong significant impact (p<0.005) in maternal
educational and water source in each community. This study revealed that STH and intestinal
schistosomiasis were highly prevalent among children of 5-14 years. There is need for
prompt wash and mass drug administration (MDA) to reduce prevalence/intensity and morbidity
in the study area

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