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Multiple infection diagnosis of intestinal helminthiasis in the assessment of health and environmental effect of development projects in Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2007

U.S. Ugbomoiko
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Ilorin, Nigeria
I.E. Ofoezie*
Affiliation:
Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
*
*Current address:Department of Zoology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Patterns of intestinal helminth infections among school-aged children have been assessed in Eko-ende and Ore, as part of an overall assessment of the public health impact of Erinle Dam Reservoir in Osun State, Nigeria. The investigation was carried out between January and May 2005 using the Kato Katz thick smear technique and simple questionnaire for information on the bio-data, knowledge, attitude and practice of individuals towards disease transmission and control. Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, Taenia spp., Strongyloides stercoralis and Schistosoma mansoni were recovered at an overall prevalence of 78.3% among 309 children examined. Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, T. trichiura and S. mansoni were the most common infections while S. stercoralis and Taenia spp. were found only among a few children. Infection patterns of the common diseases were age-specific with peaks in the 11–15 age bracket. Children not attending school were significantly (P < 0.05) more at risk of infection than those attending school. Multiple infections were pronounced with over 54% double infections and 6% four parasites or more infections. The need for urgent intervention to arrest the obviously serious public health situation attributable to Erinle Dam is emphasized.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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