PREVALENCE OF SOIL -TRANSMITTED PARASITIC INFECTION AND IT’S ASSOCIATION WITH ANTHROPOMETRIC STATUS AMONG SELECTED PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN MINNA, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA
Keywords:
Prevalence, Soil-transmitted, Infections, Underweight, Overweight, ObesityAbstract
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections remain a major cause of morbidity among children in resource-limited settings. This cross-sectional study investigated STH prevalence and its association with anthropometric status among 514 primary school children aged 5-15 years in three selected schools in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. Participants were selected by simple random sampling. Sociodemographic, risk-factor and anthropometric data (height, weight, age) were collected, and Z-scores (HAZ, WAZ, WHZ) computed using WHO growth standards. Stool samples were examined using the Kato-Katz technique for parasite identification and quantification, and Chi-square tests were used to assess associations. Overall STH prevalence was 8.4% (n=43), highest at Tudun Fulani Model School (9.3%). Roundworm was the most prevalent species (4.2%), followed by hookworm (2.5%), Schistosoma (1.2%) and whipworm (0.4%); most infections were light intensity (55.8%). Prevalence was higher among children aged 5-8 years and among females (9.7%) than males (7.1%). STH infection showed no significant association with age, gender, parental education, water source, barefoot walking, or vegetable-washing practices (p>0.05), but was significantly associated with parental occupation (x2=7.198, p=0.0274) and hand-washing practices (x2=14.310, p=0.002). Overall prevalence of underweight, stunting, wasting and overweight/obesity was 3.1%, 11.9%, 3.9% and 2.1%, respectively. Among infected children, stunting was most common (25.6%). Although STH infection was not significantly associated with HAZ, WAZ or WHZ classifications, infected children had significantly lower mean HAZ scores than uninfected children (-1.21 vs -0.05). These findings suggest STH infection may contribute to growth impairment, particularly stunting, underscoring the need for improved hygiene practices among school children.
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