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Browsing Faculty of Sciences by Author "FASANMI Oluwafunmilayo Blessing"

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    A survey of ascaris lumbricodes infection among school age children in Ikirun , Osun State Nigeria.
    (Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science Obafemi Awolowo University., 2022) FASANMI Oluwafunmilayo Blessing
    This study determined the prevalence and intensity of infection of Ascaris lumbricoides and other soil transmitted helminths among school-age children, examined soil samples obtained from children environment for Ascaris eggs, surveyed on anthelminthic treatment and type of sanitation available to the school-age children in Ikirun, Osun State, Nigeria. These were with a view to providing information on the risk factors affecting the transmission of soil helminths among the school–age children in the study area. Stool samples were collected from 332 primary school pupils comprising 135 males (40.7%) and 197 females (59.3%), between the ages of 6 and 12 from July to October 2018. The stool samples were analysed using applicator stick and about 5 g faecal sample was collected from each pupil into clean and well-labelled universal sample bottle. The faecal samples were preserved with 2 ml of 10% formalin. Soil samples were also collected from around the school latrine, playground, classroom and residence of each pupil into a properly labelled polythene bag. The preserved faecal samples were later processed by modified Kato-katz techinique and the soil samples by centrifugal floatation techniques using sucrose solution at the Parasitology Laboratory of the Department of Zoology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile–Ife. This was to determine the presence and number of Ascaris and other helminths eggs. The helminth eggs were identified based on morphological parameters. Data were analyzed using chi square and multivariate logistic regression from Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17. The results of the study showed that out of the 332 faecal samples examined, 152 (45.8%) were positive for helminth eggs. The various helminth eggs observed and their prevalences were Ascaris lumbricoides (40.1%), hookworms (8.7%) and Trichuristrichiura (3.3%). Multiple infections were observed among 17(5.1%) of the pupils. The sex related prevalence was higher among females (48.2%) than males (42.2%). The prevalence of A. lumbricoides was highest among the children of age group 6-8 years (50.0%) and lowest (27.5%) among the children over 12 years of age. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in prevalence rates of different STHs infections in relation to age groups and gender across schools. The intensity of A. lumbricoides, hookworms and T. trichiura determined as mean egg count/gram of faeces were 733.77 ± 81.85, 20.05 ± 4.65 and 1.23 ± 0.43 respectively. A total of 88 helminth eggs (58.7%) were collected out of the 150 soil samples collected. The helminth eggs identified were Ascaris lumbricoides, 41.3%; Toxocara canis, 24.0%; Trichuris trichiura 9.3% and hookworms 6.7%. The intensities of A. lumbricoides, T. canis, T. trichiura and hookworms per 30 g soil were 100.16 ±15.71, 18.24 ± 6.33, 2.08 ± 0.553and 16.05 ± 4.46 respectively. The rate of contamination of soil was higher near latrines (67.4%) and lower around the classrooms (48.6%). The study concluded that Ascaris lumbricoides remains a public health concern among children in the study area. Provision of potable water, toilet facilities and regular de-worming will enhance control measures.