Malaria and soil-transmitted helminthes coinfection in a rural community of Kwara State, North Central Nigeria

Ebube Charles Amaechi , Chidiogo Comfort Nwadike , Abiodun Lukman Musa , Carmelita Chima Ohaeri , Onyinye Mkpola Ukpai and Blessing Uzoamaka Ejike

Abstract
Malaria and soil-transmitted helminthes (STH) are common in most developing countries especially Nigeria. The aim of this study was to assess the rate of occurrence of Plasmodium falciparum and STHs coinfection and to determine the associated risk factors. A community based study was conducted on 300 individuals living in Oke-Oyi a rural community in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria, between January and June 2014. Blood samples were collected by finger prick to determine malaria parasitaemia using thick and thin film method while stool samples were processed using formalin-ether sedimentation technique and examined microscopically for intestinal parasites. Well structured questionnaire was administered to ascertain socio-economic characteristics of the subjects. The prevalence of malaria was 56.7% while the prevalence of STHs/malaria coinfection was 40.1%. The age group 1-10 was found to be the most infected (74.3%) while males (60.7%) were more infected than females (51.8%). Ascaris lumbricoides Linnaeus, 1758 was the most prevalent (60.5%) STHs infection followed by Trichuris trichiura (Linnaeus, 1771) (57.6%). Multiple infections were more pronounced in the age group 1-10 (40.1%). Subjects that were farmers were more prone to coinfection. Intestinal parasitic infection and malaria coinfection is a serious health challenge in Oke-Oyi Area of Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. Therefore, concerted efforts such as mass deworming, improved sanitation, provision of toilet facilities and health education is encouraged.

Keywords
Plasmodium falciparum; Soil-transmitted helminthes; Coinfection; Nigeria.

DOI
10.21472/bjbs.030609

Full text
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