THE PREVALENCE, INTENSITY AND RISK FACTORS OF SOIL TRANSMITTED HELMINTHS AMONG SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN IN PORT HARCOURT.

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are parasitic worms present in soil contaminated by human faeces, causing infections through ingestion or skin contact. This study was a cross-sectional design that assessed the prevalence, intensity, and risk factors associated with STH infections among school-aged children in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Ethical approval and informed consent were sought and obtained before collecting fecal samples from 150 participants. Sampling technique used was stratified simple random sampling technique. The samples were examined using direct microscopy, formol-ether concentration, and Kato-Katz techniques. Sociodemographic and risk factor data were collected through structured questionnaires, and SPSS was used for data analysis, using descriptive cross tabs and chi square analytical tools. Results showed that 45.3% of the fecal samples were positive for STHs. Ascaris lumbricoides being the most commonly detected in 64.6% of positive cases. Most infections were of light intensity, with no high-intensity cases observed. Specifically, 85.1% of Ascaris lumbricoides infections were of light intensity, and 14.9% were of moderate intensity, with mean (SE) egg counts of 355.31(±21.93) and 1409(±0.967), respectively. Age, sex, and educational status did not significantly impact prevalence or intensity with p values of p=0.232, p=0.241, p=0.101 respectively, but poor personal hygiene was a significant risk factor (p = 0.013). The study underscores the need for enhanced awareness, improved diagnostic methods, and better sanitation practices to curb the spread of STH infections.