Distribution Pattern of Soil-transmitted Helminths and Common Practices Enhancing Transmission in Owena, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Geohelminth infection are a major public health problem worldwide particularly in Africa. This study was carried out to investigate the distribution pattern of soil-transmitted helminths and common practices enhancing transmission in Owena, Southwestern Nigeria. Two hundred (200) soil samples were obtained from five different locations in Owena community and examined for the presence and absence of geohelminths eggs and larvae using Modified Cobbs decanting and sieving method. Different activities and practices that could enhance parasite transmission in the environment were investigated through a well-designed questionnaire. The result revealed that out of the 200 soil samples, 61% were contaminated with at least one parasite. The parasites encountered include Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichiuris trichiura, hookworms and Strongyloides stercoralis. Hookworm have the highest contamination prevalence of 55.8%. Furthermore, the result showed that 167 (38.5%) of the respondents does not have appropriate means of waste disposal and as such 29 (14.5%) dispose their waste in the river and 165 (82.5%) dispose their waste materials in any available site such as bushes and backyards. In the same vein only 115 (57.5%) have toilet facilities while 82 (42.5%) does not have toilet facilities. With regard to the type of toilet used, 30 (15%) uses water closet toilet, 84 (42%) make use of pit toilet while 86 (43%) get rid of their faeces through any available mean including bushes and backyards. this result is an evidence that geohelminth is still prevalent and pose a significant health challenge to the residents of Owena community. Thus appropriate management strategy such as health education should be encouraged.