Evaluation of the Diagnostic Utility of Geohelminths from Environmental and Stool Samples in Nnewi Metropolis

Background: Geohelminths are groups of four intestinal soil transmitted parasites.They are of public health concern due to their serious morbidity they cause in children which are the major groups affected.

Aim/Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of wet mount and concentration techniques of stool and soil samples for identification of geohelminths.

Methodology: Eighty stool samples were collected from four primary schools, while forty soil samples were collected from the important sites (playground, and classroom areas) in each of the school accessed. The stool samples were examined with the wet preparation and formol-ether concentration technique, while the soil samples were examined with the formol-ether concentration technique. Ethical approval was sought from the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology. Results: The results of geohelminths showed an overall prevalence of 6.25% (5/80) from the stool samples, and 27.5% (11/40) obtained from the soil. Recovery rates from the stool showed the presence of only two geohelminth;Hookworm (5%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (1.25%). Out of the four schools examined only three showed positive results with geohelminth infections, while the remaining school showed positive results with only Giardia.lamblia. The recovery rates from the soil also showed the same pattern of distribution as with the stool but with a higher prevalence of Hookworm (20.7%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (7.5%) with the toilet areas showing the highest prevalence (50%). The dominant specie of geohelminth observed in both stool and soil was Hookworm. The results also showed that both male (6%) and female (6.7%) are susceptible to the infection with no significant difference between their prevalances (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The prevalence of Hook worm was poorly reported by wet mount technique.The diagnostic performance of concentration methods for the diagnosis of Hook worms in the samples was notably high as compared to wet mount techniques.