Anthropogenic Indices of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis among Children in Delta State, Southern Nigeria

Background: The prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth infections and the anthropogenic risk factors of 978 randomly selected primary school children from Igbede community in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State Southern Nigeria were evaluated. Methods: Subjects were screened for the presence of STH using direct smear method and kato-katz techniques. This study was conducted between April and December, 2007 and comprised of 516 (52.76%) males and 462 (47.24%) females between the age of 5 and 13 years. Results: Nine hundred and seven (92.74%) of the subjects were infected by soil-transmitted helminthes (STH). The overall prevalence by species was Ascaris lumbricoides (76.89%), Hookworm (54.60%) and Trichuris Trichiura (29.24%). Three hundred and eight two (39.40%) were infected with two or more STH. The prevalence and intensity of all species of STH significantly varied with age (P< 0.05), with highest prevalence in age group 5-7 years. The sex related prevalence showed that males were more infected for all species of STH than females, but this was only statistically significant for hookworm (P< 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis for the epidemiological variable showed that walking barefoot was the only risk factor for hookworm infection while licking of fingers as well as drinking from well and surface tank was risk factors for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections. Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of STH observed from this study, establishment of sustainable and regular deworming programme in the community coupled with health education messages on good hygienic practices are highly essential.