Download CONTAMINATION-OF-SOIL-WITH-HUMAN

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