Prevalence of multiple intestinal helminths among children in a rural community

Abstract

Impairment of physical and mental development has been identified as deleterious effects of helminthic infection. As a result, there have been concerted efforts to control this group of diseases especially among children who are most vulnerable. However, knowing the prevalence of multiple infections will strengthen or otherwise justify the use of broad spectrum antihelminthics in the prophylaxis and treatment of intestinal helminthes among children. This study was carried out in a farming community with no tarred access road, electricity or pipe-borne water. The diagnosis of intestinal helminthes was by Kato-Katz thick smear examination technique. One hundred and seventy stool samples from 88 male and 82 female children were examined. The mean age of the children was 8 ± 1.6years. One hundred and sixteen of 170 (68.2%) of the study volunteers had one intestinal helminthic infection or the other. Co-infection by mor e than one helminth was not uncommon and this occurred in 49.1 % of the infected population while 35.4%, 11.2% and 2.6% had double, triple and quadruple infections respectively. Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm were the most common combinations observed in the study 52.6%, followed by the combination of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura 17.5%. The triad o f A. lumbricoides, hookworm and T. trichiura accounted for 12.3% among the multiply infected population.