GEOHELMINTHIASIS: A CASE STUDY OF AFRICAN CHURCH PRIMARY SCHOOL, IBAKA-OKA, ONDO STATE
Abstract
Geohelminths have been recognized as a public health concern of global importance, particularly in poor and deprived communities of sub-Saharan Africa which are responsible for several diseases in humans. This study assessed parasite ova/larvae dispersion in African Church Primary School, Ibaka-Oka, Ondo State, and the associated physico-chemical parameters. A total of thirty-two (32) soil samples were collected from the primary school in the study area, and examination was done in triplicate in the primary school using standard procedures. The result revealed that a total of seven hundred and thirty-two (732) parasites were recovered after laboratory analyses in which hookworm larvae (382, 52.32%) were the most prevalent parasites, followed by Strongyloides stercoralis larvae (156, 21.31%), Ascaris lumbricoides ova (152, 20.76%), and Trichuris trichiura (41, 5.60%). The physico-chemical parameters of soil samples at different cardinal directions within and around the study area revealed the pH to be acidic and the highest electrical conductivity recorded was 408.75 µS/cm, soil temperature ranged from 26.11 and 26.60, and the highest total dissolved solid was 198.75 ppm. Correlation analyses carried out on the recovered parasites with physico-chemical parameters revealed that hookworm larvae showed positive correlations with EC (0.26), pH (0.42) and TDS (0.06) and show negative correlation with temperature (-0.80). Ascaris lumbricoides was only positively correlated with temperature (0.77) and negatively correlated with EC (-0.27), pH (-0.47) and TDS (-0.05); Strongyloides stercoralis was positively correlated with EC (0.60), pH (0.10) and TDS (0.43) and negatively correlated with temperature (-0.52) while Trichuris trichuira was positively correlated only with temperature (0.61) and negatively correlated with EC (-0.29), pH (-0.05) and TDS (-0.20). It is important that targeted public health interventions be implemented to reduce the risk of geohelminth infections in the study area. These should include routine deworming programs, especially for school-aged children who are most at risk, alongside regular health education campaigns to promote proper hygiene practices such as handwashing and the use of footwear.
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