Ogechukwu B Aribodor1, Chinyelu A Ekwunife2, Sammy O Sam-Wobo3, Dennis N Aribodor2, Obiora S Ejiofor4, Ifeoma K Ugwuanyi5,6, Joseph Humphrey K Bonney7. 1. Department of Zoology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state, Nigeria. 2. Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state, Nigeria. 3. Department of Pure and Applied Zoology, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. 4. Department of Paediatrics, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Anambra state, Nigeria. 5. Department of Parasitology and Entomology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state, Nigeria. ik.ezugbo-nwobi@unizik.edu.ng. 6. School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia. ik.ezugbo-nwobi@unizik.edu.ng. 7. Virology Department, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Intestinal helminthiasis among pupils is a major impediment to their well-being and development. This 2-year study determined how home-grown school feeding programme (HGSFP) impacted on pupils' school attendance and created opportunity for more children to assess interventions geared towards the prevention and possible elimination of intestinal helminthiasis. METHODS: Faecal samples were collected from 1677 consented pupils and examined for helminths using Kato-Katz technique. Pupils were treated with 40 mg Levamisole (anti-helminthic) and re-examined. Structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to determine anthropometric indices and risk factors. RESULTS: A 6% prevalence rate which was not significant with respect to sex or age was observed. Helminth parasites observed were Ascaris lumbricoides (4.4%), Trichuris trichiura (0.8%), Hookworm spp. (0.2%), and Taenia spp. (0.5%). Two pupils (1.98%) recorded high intensity of infection (epg) while 98.02% had light infection. Ascaris lumbricoides voided following treatment were 290. The Body Mass Index (BMI) indicated that infected pupils had lower values (14.6317) compared to uninfected pupils (19.2003). The HGSFP significantly improved school attendance by 30%. Lack of knowledge about transmission (P = 0.0004), hand hygiene (P = 0.01) and usage of toilet (P = 0.01) were risk factors observed. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Intestinal helminthiasis remains a public health problem among pupils because environmental and behavioural risk factors persist. HGSFP improved school attendance and created opportunity for more inclusive participation of school-aged children for deworming. This has great potential in fast-tracking the elimination of intestinal helminthiasis. The present study consequently advocates the need to sustain HGSFP in schools.
PURPOSE: Intestinal helminthiasis among pupils is a major impediment to their well-being and development. This 2-year study determined how home-grown school feeding programme (HGSFP) impacted on pupils' school attendance and created opportunity for more children to assess interventions geared towards the prevention and possible elimination of intestinal helminthiasis. METHODS: Faecal samples were collected from 1677 consented pupils and examined for helminths using Kato-Katz technique. Pupils were treated with 40 mg Levamisole (anti-helminthic) and re-examined. Structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to determine anthropometric indices and risk factors. RESULTS: A 6% prevalence rate which was not significant with respect to sex or age was observed. Helminth parasites observed were Ascaris lumbricoides (4.4%), Trichuris trichiura (0.8%), Hookworm spp. (0.2%), and Taenia spp. (0.5%). Two pupils (1.98%) recorded high intensity of infection (epg) while 98.02% had light infection. Ascaris lumbricoides voided following treatment were 290. The Body Mass Index (BMI) indicated that infected pupils had lower values (14.6317) compared to uninfected pupils (19.2003). The HGSFP significantly improved school attendance by 30%. Lack of knowledge about transmission (P = 0.0004), hand hygiene (P = 0.01) and usage of toilet (P = 0.01) were risk factors observed. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Intestinal helminthiasis remains a public health problem among pupils because environmental and behavioural risk factors persist. HGSFP improved school attendance and created opportunity for more inclusive participation of school-aged children for deworming. This has great potential in fast-tracking the elimination of intestinal helminthiasis. The present study consequently advocates the need to sustain HGSFP in schools.
Authors: Ana Lúcia Ribeiro Gonçalves; Talita Lucas Belizário; Janderson de Brito Pimentel; Mário Paulo Amante Penatti; Reginaldo dos Santos Pedroso Journal: Rev Soc Bras Med Trop Date: 2011-04-29 Impact factor: 1.581
Authors: Dennis N Aribodor; Simon A Bassey; Tippayarat Yoonuan; Sammy O Sam-Wobo; Ogechukwu B Aribodor; Ifeoma K Ugwuanyi Journal: Infect Dis Health Date: 2019-01-14
Authors: Mary Lorraine S Mationg; Catherine A Gordon; Veronica L Tallo; Remigio M Olveda; Portia P Alday; Mark Donald C Reñosa; Franziska A Bieri; Gail M Williams; Archie C A Clements; Peter Steinmann; Kate Halton; Yuesheng Li; Donald P McManus; Darren J Gray Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2017-11-06