Intestinal Helminthic Infection in Numan (Northeast Nigeria)

ABSTRACT: Intestinal helminthes are the most common diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa with a very higher negative public health and socio-economic impacts. Mass drug administration is one program aimed at controlling the disease. The exercise has not been successful in Nigeria due to low levels of living standards, poor environmental sanitation, and ignorance of simple health-promoting behaviors. Due to negative impacts of helminthiasis, there is therefore the need for good preventive and control measures. This cannot be done effectively without a baseline data on the occurrence of helminthiasis in a particular area. A study of prevalence of intestinal helminthes infections among inhabitants of five villages in Numan local Government area Adamawa, Nigeria was carried out using formal-ether concentration method. Out of the 296 subjects examined, 27(9.1%) were found to be infected with at least one helminth. The prevalence of intestinal helminthes found were Taenia spp (3.7%), Hookworm (3.4%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (2.0%). There was no ignificant association between helminthic infection and sex (P>0.05). There was no significant association between prevalence and age (P>0.05). Teania spp had the highest prevalence among subjects examined. Prevalence and co- infection was highest in Salti village. Intestinal helminthes are of public health importance in the area, and control measures are imperative.