Epidemiological studies of intestinal helminthes and malaria among children in Lagos, Nigeria

Of the 1177 randomly surveyed children, 46.8% had parasitic infections, four types of helminthes, Ascaris lumbricoides (29.7%), Trichuris trichiura (18.4%), hookworm (0.7%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.3%); and the malarial stages, trophozoites (34.3%) and gametocytes (2.0%). Highest prevalence of 58.25% was observed in the 0-2 years. Both Ascaris and Plasmodium had peak intensities in children aged 2-4 years; another peak for Ascaris in 8-10 years old. There was positive correlation between the age groups and the prevalence of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura (both p<0.05), difference in other parasites were not significant. Males had higher prevalence of 52.8% than females 45.8%. Difference in prevalence between sexes was only significant in ascariasis (p<0.05). Pit latrine users were the most infected (51.43%) while the water closet users were the least (33.28%). Children who drank well water regularly had the highest infection rate (43.5%). Intensity of malaria was highest in children whose families used nets only, lowest in those who combined insecticides, coils and nets. Sixty seven percent of infected cases were single infections while 29% were mixed infections.