Evaluation of Albendazole and Ivermectin Against Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis among Primary School Children in Jalingo Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed soil-transmitted helminthiasis in relation to the socio-demographic, sanitation, and hygiene of primary school pupils in Jalingo LGA, Taraba State, Nigeria. A total of 395 stool samples were collected from the subjects. Stool samples were analyzed using the Kato-Katz technique. Chi-square (χ²) test was used to determine the association between the infection and the variables at p≤0.05. The infection was 19.7% (78). Knowledge on transmission pattern was significant with 19.4% (61) (χ²₌9.44; p=0.03). Children who knew about helminths significantly were 21.5% (44) (χ²₌ 10.43; p=0.05). Those who were taught to wash hands, and used toilets in schools were 21.8% (68) (χ²₌ 10.50; p=0.05). Children who walked barefoot were 22.0% (34) (χ²₌ 9.28; p=0.02). Children pre-treated with Albendazole were 19.0%, and were at 2.0% at post-treatment, with a cure rate of 89.5%. With Ivermectin, the pre-treatment infection rate was 20.8%, and the post-treatment rate was 2.0%, with a cure rate of 90.2%. The mean egg count reduced from 5.94 eggs per gram (EPG) before treatment to 1.09 EPG after treatment with albendazole. It had an egg reduction rate (ERR) of 81.7%. Ivermectin reduced the mean egg count from 5.85 EPG at pre-treatment to 0.73 EPG at post-treatment, with an ERR of 87.0%. Soil-transmitted helminthiasis remains among pupils in Jalingo Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria. Albendazole had a good cure rate, as did Ivermectin, with better egg reduction rates. There is a necessity to use Ivermectin in control efforts against soil-transmitted helminthiasis in endemic areas.