Prevalence of Geohelminths and its Risk Factors among Secondary School Students in Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Geohelminths are parasitic organisms that pose a very important public health concern globally. They cause anemia, diarrhoea, stunted growth, and school absenteeism, especially in children. This study was carried out to establish the occurrence of geohelminths among school-aged children in three randomly selected Community Secondary Schools in Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria. Data were collected through structured questionnaires to obtain socio-demographic information. The stool samples of 325 students were collected after prior consent was obtained from the parents or guardians, and the samples were analyzed using the formol ether concentration technique. The data derived were statistically analyzed, assuming significance at (p<0.05). An overall prevalence of parasites was recorded as 69.85%. The identified geohelminths included Ascaris lumbricoides, which was 40.53%; hookworm, 21.14%; Trichuris trichiura, 9.25%; and Strongyloides stercoralis, 4.40%. Gender-based analysis revealed a higher prevalence among females (77.05%) compared to males (60.56%). Age-wise, children aged 10–12 years showed the highest prevalence (75.25%), followed by those aged 13–15 years (67.50%), while the 15–17-year age group had the lowest prevalence (51.06%). A significant association between age and helminthiasis prevalence was observed (p<0.05). Similarly, there was a significant association of the type of toilet facility used with helminth infections (p<0.05). Accordingly, open defecation practitioners demonstrated the highest prevalence, 81.58%, followed by pit latrine users, 71.86%, while those having water cisterns showed the lowest, 29.17%. The findings call for awareness, raising campaigns to enlighten students on the health risks associated with geohelminth infections and the adoption of preventive practices.