Soil-Transmitted Helminths Infection and Associated Risk Factors among Primary School Pupils in Omogho and Awa Communities, Anambra State, Nigeria

Background: Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STHs) remain a public health problem. Infections are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of the world.

Aim: This study was to investigate the prevalence and intensity of STH infections, the prevalence of STH mixed infections in relation to age and sex, and to identify the risk factors associated with STH infections among pupils in Omogho and Awa rural communities in Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Study design: The study was a cross-sectional survey of faecal samples collected from 453 randomly selected pupils from four primary schools.

Duration of study: The study was conducted between June and September 2017.

Materials and methods: The faecal samples were examined by direct smear and formol ether concentration techniques. Questionnaires based survey was done to determine the risk factors of STH among the pupils.

Results: The overall prevalence of STH infections was 44.2%. Among the schools, Primary School, Awa had the highest prevalence (17.0%) while Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy Primary School, Omogho, had the least prevalence (5.3%). Others were Community Primary School, Omogho (12.8%) and Community Primary School, Awa (9.1%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of STH infections among the primary school pupils (p = 0.36, p > .05). Ascaris lumbricoides (17.2%) was highest while Strongyloides stercoralis (2.0%) was the least prevalent. Other STHs observed were hookworms (15.9%) and Trichuris trichiura (9.1%). Pupils who do not practice proper hygiene had highest infections. A total of 149(32.9%) who do not wash hands after the use of toilet had more infections than 51(11.3%) who wash their hands. There was significant difference on prevalence of STH with responses on hygiene practices (p = 0.00, p < .05).

Conclusion: Absence of good toilet facility and adequate water supply in the schools made it difficult for the pupils to practice good hygiene. An integrated control of STH which should include provision of adequate toilet facilities for pupils, piped drinking water, chemotherapy and health education is recommended.