Prevalence and Intensity of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis among School-Age Children in Densely Urban Populations of Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) is common in areas with poor sanitation and hygiene affecting mostly school- age children. Morbidity associated with STH is dependent on intensity of infestation while the frequency of mass deworming of children is determined by the prevalence of STH in a given population. Objectives: The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and intensity of STH among school-age children attending public schools in Lagos State, Nigeria. Methods: Four hundred and forty three children aged 5-14 years attending public schools in Lagos Mainland and Mushin Local Government Areas (LGAs) were recruited into the study. Faecal samples were analysed by Kato Katz method for the presence of eggs and larvae of helminths. Demographic characteristics of the pupils were captured using a questionnaire. Results: A total of 443 children [Mushin: 200; Ebute Metta: 243] consisting of 222 (50.1%) boys and 211 (49.9%) girls participated in this study. The prevalence of STH was 14.9% (66/443) [Ebute Metta 20.2%; Mushin 8.5%; p=0.001]. More boys 41 (18.5%) were infested with STH than girls 25 (11.3%) (p=0.034). The mean age, weight and height of pupils were not associated with infestation with STH (p>0.05). The prevalence of the parasites species were: Ascaris lumbricoides 59 (13.3%), Trichuris trichiura 3 (0.7%), hookworm 2 (0.5%), coinfestation of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura 2 (0.5%). Of the 66 children with STH infestation, 61 (92.4%) were light intensity infestations while 5 (7.6%) had moderate intensity infestation. Conclusion: Prevalence of STH was low and characterized by light intensity infestations in urban Lagos. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent helminth species.