The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Geohelminth Infections among

Abstract: A study of the prevalence of parasitic geohelminth infection of primary school children aged 6-13 years was undertaken. Two hundred and twenty (220) soil samples from the school compound and 220 stool samples from pupils in 3 primary schools were examined using formol ether concentration technique. Overall results showed that 118(53.6%) soil and 193(87.7%) stool samples were positive. The recovery rates from stool samples were; eggs of Ascaris spp. 199(54.1%), Hookworm 100(45.5%), Trichuris trichiura 41(18%) and larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis 13(5.9%). Prevalence from soil samples showed 53(24.0%) of Ascaris eggs, 57(25.9%) of Hookworm eggs and 21(9.5%) of Strongyloides stercoralis larva. The wide and unrestricted spread of the infection is attributed to failure to wear footwears to school, lack of functional toilet facilities, geophagia and preference of the students to defecate in the bush leading to indiscriminate defecation in and around the school yard. Intervention by way of education on proper hygiene habits and regular de-worming exercise especially at the primary school level coupled with legislation against indiscriminate disposal of faeces and its endorsement is recommended