Soil Transmitted Helminth Infections in Indigenous Communities of Anambra State: The Role of Sanitation, Human behaviour and Socio-Economic Factors

Soil transmitted helminths (STHs) are known to be endemic in developing tropical countries. A study to determine the relationship between sanitation, human behaviour, socio-economic factors and soil transmitted helminth infections in indigenous communities of Anambra State, Nigeria was undertaken between a two-year interval (February 2016 to July, 2018). The stool samples were collected from 2, 787 residents aged 1 60 years in the nine communities of Ihiala L. G. A. and analyzed using direct normal saline and formal-ether concentration technique for the presence of STHs while Kato-Katz technique was used to determine the intensity of infections. Structured questionnaires and direct observations were used for collection of data on sanitation, human behaviour and socio-economic factors associated with STHs. Four different soil transmitted helminths were observed with overall prevalence of (54.1 %). These included hookworm 614 (22.0 %), Ascaris lumbricoides 611 (21.9 %), Trichuris trichiura 207 (7.4 %) and Strongyloides stercoralis 75 (2.7 %). Multiple infections were however observed in 473 (31.4 %) individuals. The higher prevalence of (76.0 %, 65.4 %, 70.6 %, 81.1 %, 67.7 %, 55.4 %, 63.7 %) were found among farmers, those who drinks water from underground tanks, defecates in bushes, eats with unwashed hands, do not wash hand after defecation, do not wash vegetables and fruits before consumption and walks bare-footed respectively. The individual sanitation and social behaviour had important role in helminth infection. STHs infections could be reduced by improved sanitation facilities and the utilization of safe water sources as well as change in human behaviour. In addition, health education programs aimed at indigenous farmers is likely to play a significant role in the reduction of roundworm infection in the community.