Soil Transmitted Helminth Infection In Okpoko, An Urban Slum

Soil transmitted helminth infections are known to be endemic in developing  countries. We investigated soil transmitted helminth infection at Okpoko community an urban slum. Fresh stool samples were collected from 808 patients randomly selected from five health facilities in the community. Stool samples were examined for presence of helminthes using the Stoll’s dilution method. Hookworm was the most common helminth identified in the community (64.4%). Other soil transmitted helminths identified were Ascaris lumbricoides (29.6%)  Trichuris trichiura (2.2%), Enterobius vermicularis (1.5%), Strongyloides stearcoralis (0.7%), Hymenlopsis nana (0.7%) and Taenia species (0.7%). Schistosoma mansonii was not identified in this study. Multiple infection occurred in individuals with Hookworm and Ascaris the most prevalent (3.0%). The triad Ascaris, Hookworm and Trichuris trichiura accounted for 1.5% among the multiple infected population. An overall prevalence of soil transmitted helminth infection of 17.1% was observed. There was no predilection for gender with intestinal helminth infection in Okpoko community (females 9.7% vs 7.3% males). Children less than 10 years had the greatest helminth infection rate (38.5%). It is therefore imperative that sanitation and education of the populace be improved upon to reduce helminthiasis in the community.