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CONTAMINATION OF SOIL WITH HUMAN GEOHELMINTH PARASITES OVA AND LARVAE IN IHIALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA Igbodika, M.C. Department of Biological Science, Anambra State University Uli Anambra State Nigeria Email address: [email protected] Abstract Contamination of soil by human geohelminth parasites ova and larvae was investigated in the ten communities of Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. A total of 1,813 soil samples were collected from different household yards, common pathways, school compounds, village squares, churches and market premises of the ten communities from March 2011 through March 2012 and evaluated by means of floatation method. Soil samples were found to be contaminated with ova and larvae of the four species of human geohelminths 50.1%. Ascaris has the overall highest prevalence (25.0%), followed by hookworm (20.2%), Trichuris (4.0%) and Strongyloides (0.5%). The highest occurrence was recorded in household yards (64.3%) while the least occurrence was observed in church premises (27.4%). The community survey revealed that highest occurrence rates were recovered from the soils in Ihiala (64.0%) while the least was Osmorghu. Positive statistical associations were observed between the number of geohelminths and the site and location of soil collection (P>0.05) with the household yards and Ihiala community having the highest occurrence rate of 64.3% and 64.0% respectively. The high level of soil contamination constitutes a potential source of geohelminth infection and thereby exposes the inhabitants to the risk of infections. It is highly recommended that indiscriminate defecation should be discouraged through provision of toilet facilities in churches, schools, markets and different households. Keywords: geohelminth, soil, contamination, Ihiala