Status of Geohelminth Infections - Nine Years After Mass Administration of Medicine in Primary Schools in Nnewi, Anambra State

Abstract

Geohelminths are known to be endemic in developing tropical countries. A study on the status of geohelminth infection, nine years after mass drug administration in medicine in primary schools, was carried out in Nnewi, Anambra State. Objective: The investigation was conducted to determine the prevalence of geohelminth infections among school-aged children and the status of the deworming exercise in Nnewi, Anambra State. Methods: The stool samples collected from 324 pupils aged 3-17 years in three primary schools were analyzed using normal saline and formalin-ether concentration techniques. Results: Overall prevalence of geohelminths in the area was 1.9%; no mixed infection was recorded among the pupils. The ova of geohelminth parasites detected were Hookworm 3(0.9%), A. lumbricoides of 2(0.6%) and T. trichiura 1(0.3%). Pupils attending Nnewichi Central School recorded the highest prevalence 4(3.5%) of infection in the three primary schools sampled. Children aged 9-11 years old were more infected with hookworm 2(2.3%), 1(1.2%) for A. lumbricoides followed by children aged 6-8 years. Male pupils 4(2.9%) were more infected than females 2(1.1%). From the questionnaire distributed, 241(74.4%) were dewormed, of which 216(89.6%) respondent said they were dewormed in school and home. This indicated that deworming exercise has been carried out in primary schools in Nnewi. Conclusion: From the study, the prevalence was low, this infers that deworming is effective and should be sustained at least once every year since children can be re-infected, the exercise should be complemented with Water Safety and Hygiene (WASH), health education and sanitation.