Epidemiological Aspects of Ascariasis and Associated Risk Factors Among Primary School Children in Lambata Community, Niger State, Nigeria During 2019-2020

Okoroiwu, Gideon. I.A.

doi:10.30476/jhsss.2021.90372.1189

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Gideon. I.A. Okoroiwu

Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria, Plot 91, Cadastral Zone, University Village, Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria

https://doi.org/10.30476/jhsss.2021.90372.1189

Abstract

Background: Ascaris worm, as one of the commonest helminthic infections, constitutes a major public health challenge and concern in the majority of developing countries. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of Ascaris worm infection and its associated risk factors among primary school children in Lambata community to determine the prevalence of Ascaris infection, age, gender and associated risk factors among them to create awareness and effective management program.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted between January 2019 and November 2020, in nine selected primary schools in Lambata community. A total of 303 stool samples were collected using random sampling to determine the prevalence of Ascaris infection using stool smear technique. The socio-demographic data were collected, using a structured interview questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using simple percentages, OR and chi-square analytical methods.
Results: Out of the 303 screened stool samples, 156 (51.5%) had Ascaris infection. The most infected age-groups were 11-12 years old (73.8%; OR = 2.11) and 9-10 years (57.1%; OR = 2.01), while 6-8 year old subjects had the lowest rate (42.3%; OR = 1.00) of infection. Males (65.9%; OR= 2.00) were more infected than their female (39.9%; OR = 0.09) counterparts (p <0.05). Age, educational status / occupational status of parents, and defecation habits were significantly(p <0.05) associated with the prevalence of Ascaris infection.
Conclusion: With the overall prevalence of 51.5% of Ascaris infection among the subjects, there is an indispensable need for health education promotion and coordinated de-worming of the primary school children in this community

Keywords

References

(1) Jourdan, PM, Larnberton, PHC, Fenwick, A, Addiss,DG. Soil-transmitted helminth infections.2017.DOI:10:1016/50140-6736(17).

(2) Center for Disease Control (CDC). Global Health: Parasitic diseases and malaria.cdc.gov/parasites/ascariasis/index.html,2020.

(3) Wright,JE, Werkman,M, Duun,JC & Anderson,RM. Current epidemiological evidence for predisposition to high or low intensity human helminth infection:A sustainable review Parasit. Vectors, 2018; 11(1):65.

(4) Walker, M, Hall, A, Basanez,MG. Individual predisposition, household clustering and risk factors for human infection with Ascaris lumbricoides: new epidemiological insights. PLos Negl Trop Dis. 2011; 5(4): e1047.

(5) World Health Organization(WHO). Control of Ascariasis: Report of WHO Committee.Technical series,2002;379,1967, pp. 1e39.

(6) Aguilar, I, & Galbes, H. Encyclopedia of Health and Education for the family,2012;pp:130-131.

(7) Yimam,Y, Degarege,A, Erko,B. Effect of antihelminthic treatment on helminth infection and related anaemia among school-age children in Northwestern Ethiopia. BMC Infect Dis. 2016; 16(1):613.

(8) Easy, AT. Crompton community control of Ascaris lumbricoides in rural Oyo state, Nigeria: mass targeted and selective treatment with levamisole. Parasitology,2020; 103: 291e298.

(9)World Health Organization(WHO). Preventive chemotherapy in human helminthiasis: coordinated use of antihelminthic drugs in control interventions; a manual for health Professionals and Programme managers, WHO, 2013; eneva, 2006.

(10)Global Network. Intervention for the control of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in the Community. Adv. Parasitol. 2006; 61:311e348

(11)Sayer,WA. Factors that influence the rate of incidence of ascaris infection. Am. J. Hyg. 1995; 5: 790-817.

(12)Chijioke, IR, Ile, C, Ilechukwu, GCA, Okafor, CI, Ekejindu, IM, Sriddiar,MK. A Community based survey of the burden of Ascaris lumbricoides in Enugu Ann. Med. Health Sci. 2011; 1(2): 165-171.

(13)Mafiana,RM, Ngwodo, POA. A study of blood and gastrointestinal parasites in Edo State Afri. J. Biotech.2007; 6(19): 2201-2207.

(14)Onwasigwe,CN. Intestinal parasites in Enugu school children. Orient J. Med. 1999; 11(1-4):56-60.

(15) Duaah,ET. Immunohistochemical characterization of hepatic lesions associated with migrating larvae of Ascaris suum in Pigs.

J. Comp. Pathol.2008; 124(2001):200e206.

(16)Manir,N, Umar,LM, Abduhadi,BJ. Survey on prevalence of intestinal parasites associated with some primary school aged children in Dutsinmia Area, Katsina state,Nigeria. Moj. Biol. Med.2017;2(2):197-201.

(17)Damen,JG, Luka,J, Biwari,EI, Lugos,M. Prevalence of intestinal parasites among pupils Rural Northeastern Nigeria.Niger. Med. J.2011:52(1): 4-6.

(18)Vincent,PG, Ting-Wu,C, Chien-Wei,L, Yueh-Lun,L, Olaoluwa,PK, Akwaowo,O, Olusola,A, Ajayi,JB. Intestinal parasitic infections: Current status and associated risk factors among school aged children in an anchetypal African urban slum in Nigeria. J.Microbiol.Immunology& Infection.2019; 52(1):106-113.

(19)Gowon, AI, Baba, OV, Akpu, PA, Linda,AE. Ascaris lumbricoides infection using Microscopy and IgG4 Detection Techniques in a school children population in Central Nigeria: An epidemiological study. J. Infect.Dis. Treat.2018;4(1): 5.

(20)Kizito, UN. Ascaris lumbricoides infection among pupils of primary schools in Uzoagba, Ikeduru, Southeastern Nigeria. J. Health Educ Res Dev. 2018; 6:4.

(21)Solomon,NK. Prevalence and distribution of soil-transmitted helminth infections in Nigerian children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J. Infectious Disease of Poverty,2018; 7:79.

(22)Naing, L, Winn,T, Rusli,BN. Practical issues in calculating the sample size for prevalence studies. Archives of Orofacial Sciences,2006; 1:9-14.

(23)Baye,S, Haiteyesus,M & Destraw,D. Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated risk factors among Jawa primary school children,Jawa Town,Northwest Ethiopia. BMC Infectious Diseases,2019; 19:341

(24)Mohammad,JAA,Maryam,BM, Mostafa,R, Mehdi,M, Vali, B, Somayeh,Mohammad BA, Ruhollah,H, Mohammad,S. Prevalence and associated risk factors of Human intestinal parasitic infections: a population-based study in the southeastern Iran. BMC Infectious Disease,2020; 20:12.

(25)Daniel,G, Melkam,T,Anderaw,A& Gashew,Z.Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection And its associated risk factors among school children in two primary schools in Harbu Town ,Northeastern Ethiopia:cross-sectional study. Pediatric Health Med. Ther.2020; 11:179-188.

(26)Abednego,SD, Esther,OF, Joy,EF & Francis,IW. Soil-transmitted helminthes and associated risk factors among elementary school pupils in Dadin Kowa, Jos. Niger Med J.2019; 60(4): 181-185.

(27)Dangana,A, Abayomi,RO, Wey,GD & Akobi,OA. Survey of Ascaris lumbricoides among Pupils of primary school in Jos South LGA of Plateau state, Nigeria. Afri Jour Microbiology Res. 2011; 5(17):2524-2527.

(28)Ekpenyong,JP. Dose-dependent impact of larvae of Ascaris suum on host body weight in The mouse model. J. Helminthol. 2008; 38(2009): 1e5.

(29)Abab,AE & Arene,OI. Status of intestinal parasite infections among primary school Children in River state. Journal of Parasitological Res. 2015; 15(2):8-10.

Journal of Health Sciences & Surveillance System

Epidemiological Aspects of Ascariasis and Associated Risk Factors Among Primary School Children in Lambata Community, Niger State, Nigeria During 2019-2020

References

References

Volume 9, Issue 3
July 2021
Pages 191-198

Epidemiological Aspects of Ascariasis and Associated Risk Factors Among Primary School Children in Lambata Community, Niger State, Nigeria During 2019-2020

References

References

Volume 9, Issue 3July 2021Pages 191-198

Volume 9, Issue 3
July 2021
Pages 191-198