Prevalence of Helminthiasis and Worm Load among Pre-school Children in Rural Areas of Enugu State
Nwachukwu Chinedu Ugwunna
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Nigeria.
Nnamdi Nnanna Ude *
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Nigeria.
Ogochukwu Chinwe Ugwunna
Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Nigeria, Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Nigeria.
Chika Nwanma Onwasigwe
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Nigeria.
Emmanuel Nwabueze Aguwa
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Nigeria.
Elias Aniwada
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Nigeria Ituku-Ozalla Campus, Nigeria.
Francis Aneke
Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Globally, many people suffer from parasitic infections of the intestines with up to 24% of the world population are affected. These infections are particularly prevalent in low-and middle-income countries and exist mainly among economically and socially disadvantaged populations. This study sought to establish the current prevalence of STHs among preschool children in rural areas of Enugu State.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out at Obinofia Ndi-Uno and Obe, rural communities of Enugu State, Nigeria. A pre-tested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and Laboratory kits for stool analysis were used. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS statistics version 22.
Results: A total of 589 preschool children (294 from Obinofia Ndi-Uno and 295 from Obe) were studied. Ova of helminths were seen in the stool of 47 preschool children giving a prevalence of 8% with ascariasis being the predominant infection.
Discussion: The prevalence of worm infection in this study was low compared to some studies in Nigeria, Africa, and other parts of the world.
Keywords: Prevalence, pre-school children, rural, ascaris lumbricoides, helminthiasis