scholarly journals Prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths in primary school playgrounds in Edo State, southern Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 282-295
Author(s):  
C. Isaac ◽  
P. N. Turay ◽  
C. U. Inegbenosun ◽  
S. A. Ezekiel ◽  
H. O. Adamu ◽  
...  

SummarySchoolchildren in primary schools are mostly at risk of acquiring soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) infections due to their habits (geophagy, onychophagy and playing with barefoot). Profiling soil parasites on school playgrounds is expected to provide an insight to an array of parasites schoolchildren are constantly at risk of acquiring; and this information could guide on intervention programmes. Soil samples from sixteen primary school playgrounds in Edo State (South-South, Nigeria) were collected over a six-month period both in the dry (January, February and March) and wet (May, June and July) seasons in 2018 and early 2019. Samples were processed and analysed following standard parasitological procedures. Of the 576 soil samples collected, 318(55.2 %) were positive with one or more soil parasites. Generally, the predominant parasites recovered from the total number of soil samples collected were: Ascaris 127(22 %), Strongyloides 111(19.27 %) and hookworm 50(8.68 %). Ascaris was most preponderant in the dry season, while Strongyloides was the most occurring in the wet season. The mean differences in the parasite load for Ascaris and hookworm between dry and wet seasons were not significant; while for Strongyloides it was higher in the wet than dry season. These results could be a consequence of observed poor state of toilet/sanitary facilities as well as the lack or poor state of basic infrastructure like proper drainage and waste disposal systems in the host communities. There is therefore urgent need to interrupt the STHs transmission cycles in the environment and possibly in schoolchildren by instituting sustainable intervention programmes within schools located in STHs endemic regions like southern Nigeria.

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-182
Author(s):  
E. Biose ◽  
C.F. Amaechi ◽  
C. Nwaemene

This study was carried out to determine some physicochemical properties and heavy metals level in primary school playground located in Benin City, Southern Nigeria using standard methods. A total of 10 topsoil samples were collected from five primary school playgrounds from different locations in Benin metropolis, Southern Nigeria in February, 2017. The mean levels of pH and EC ranged from 5.53 to 7.02 and 200.05 - 410.00 µS/cm respectively. The mean concentrations for heavy metals ranged from 337.15±64.28 and 464.10±19.37 for Fe, 23.40±7.50 and 29.70±4.81 for Mn, 45.95±8.70 and 67.95±4.74 for Zn, 8.48±1.61 and 12.90±3.82 for Cu, 5.10±2.33 and 7.41±1.54 for Cd, 4.42±2.02 and 8.39±7.09 for Cr, 6.17±2.82 and 13.82±6.76 for Pb, 0.99±0.09 and3.24±3.73 for Ni respectively. Heavy metal concentrations were in the following order. In Ogiegbaen, Eresoyen and Ekosodin Primary schools (PS) playground, the order was Fe> Zn> Mn> Cu> Pb> Cd> Cr> Ni while the order in Agbado PS and Olua PS were Fe> Zn> Mn> Cu> Pb> Cr> Cd> Ni and Fe> Zn> Mn> Pb> Cu> Cd> Cr> Ni respectively. Enrichment factor (EF), Contamination factor (CF) and Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) were used to evaluate the pollution status of the soil. Keywords: Topsoil, Playground, Heavy metals, Assessment Indices


Author(s):  
Edema Enogiomwan Imalele ◽  
Effanga Emmanuel Offiong ◽  
Usang Anok Ukam ◽  
Aramushu Willington Urimaneh ◽  
Henshaw Victoria Utibe

Aims: The present study investigated the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth contamination in dumpsite and farmland soils in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Methodology: Soil samples were randomly collected from selected dumpsites and farmlands from July to December 2019. 200 soil samples (100 samples each from dumpsites and farmland) were collected. Soil samples were analysed using Zinc sulphate flotation technique whereas soil nematode extraction for hookworm and Strongyloides larvae was carried out using the modified Baermann technique. Results: Of the 200 soil samples examined, 131 (65.5%) were positive for ova/larvae of one or more parasites. Dumpsite soils were highly contaminated with ova/larvae of soil-transmitted helminths than farmland soils with a prevalence of 79% (n=79) and 52% (n=52) respectively (P=.02). Farmlands had the highest mean intensity (6.75±1.88) of contamination with ova/larvae of soil-transmitted helminths compared to dumpsite soils (1.68±0.14). Ascaris lumbricoides recorded the highest occurrence (35.5%) (P=.003) in soil samples examined. A. lumbricoides (40%) and Trichuris trichiura (6%) contamination was higher in dumpsite soils, while Strongyloides stercoralis larvae (34%) and hookworm (10%) contamination was higher in farmland soils. Dumpsite soils recorded the highest number of parasites (84%) in the wet season, while farmland soils recorded the highest number of parasites (92%) in the dry season (P=.11). Generally, parasitic ova/larvae were more prevalent in the dry season (91%) than in the wet season (73%) (P=.33). S. stercoralis (33%) was more prevalent in the wet season followed while A. lumbricoides (43%) recorded highest occurrence in the dry season. Conclusion: This study revealed the potential health risk of contracting soil-transmitted helminth parasites in soils around farmlands and dumpsites in Calabar, Nigeria. It is therefore important that a combination of sanitation and health education be put in place for effective control of soil-transmitted helminths.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rose Jummai MUSA ◽  
Adeyemi Abiodun ADEYINKA

The study investigated the effects of school environment and methods of teaching on language skills achievement of pre – primary school pupils in Edo State. It also investigated the interaction effects of Montessori and played methods and urban and rural environments on pupils' achievement in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Three urban and three rural areas which were selected from two Local Government Areas (LGAs) were used for the study. Six pre - primary schools were purposively selected for the study. A total of 228 kindergartens 2 pupils intact classes were used for the study which lasted for eight weeks. The study was a pretest, posttest, quasi- experimental control group design with independent variables as methods and school location while achievement in Language Skills Achievement Test (LSAT) was the dependent variable. Descriptive statistics and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) were used to analyze the data obtained while the Multiple Classification Analysis (MCA) was used as post-hoc test for further significance. Three research questions were answered with three hypotheses, tested at 0.05 level of significance. Results showed that the Montessori Method of teaching pre –primary pupils was more effective than the play method. Similarly, urban school pupils achieved higher than their rural counterparts. There was also a significant interaction effect of methods and school location on pupils' academic achievement in Language skills. It was therefore recommended that the Nigerian Government should adopt the Montessori Method as a dominant method of teaching pre – primary school pupils and that pre – primary school owners should provide materials adequately for teaching and learning.


Author(s):  
Amarachukwu Nwankwo ◽  
Anthony Chibuike Onyebueke ◽  
Kindness Chidi Irikannu ◽  
Chibumma Immaculata Nzeukwu ◽  
Ifediba Vivian Onwuzulike ◽  
...  

Background: Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STHs) remain a public health problem. Infections are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Aim: This study was to investigate the prevalence and intensity of STH infections, the prevalence of STH mixed infections in relation to age and sex, and to identify the risk factors associated with STH infections among pupils in Omogho and Awa rural communities in Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria. Study design: The study was a cross-sectional survey of faecal samples collected from 453 randomly selected pupils from four primary schools. Duration of study: The study was conducted between June and September 2017. Materials and methods: The faecal samples were examined by direct smear and formol ether concentration techniques. Questionnaires based survey was done to determine the risk factors of STH among the pupils. Results: The overall prevalence of STH infections was 44.2%. Among the schools, Primary School, Awa had the highest prevalence (17.0%) while Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy Primary School, Omogho, had the least prevalence (5.3%). Others were Community Primary School, Omogho (12.8%) and Community Primary School, Awa (9.1%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of STH infections among the primary school pupils (p = 0.36, p > .05). Ascaris lumbricoides (17.2%) was highest while Strongyloides stercoralis (2.0%) was the least prevalent. Other STHs observed were hookworms (15.9%) and Trichuris trichiura (9.1%). Pupils who do not practice proper hygiene had highest infections. A total of 149(32.9%) who do not wash hands after the use of toilet had more infections than 51(11.3%) who wash their hands. There was significant difference on prevalence of STH with responses on hygiene practices (p = 0.00, p < .05). Conclusion: Absence of good toilet facility and adequate water supply in the schools made it difficult for the pupils to practice good hygiene. An integrated control of STH which should include provision of adequate toilet facilities for pupils, piped drinking water, chemotherapy and health education is recommended.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Vanessa Rosine Nkouayep ◽  
Blandine Ngatou Tchakounté ◽  
Josué Wabo Poné

Helminthiasis and protozoans infections have been recognized as an important public health problem. The aim of the present study was to screen soil samples collected from 10 primary schools in the city of Dschang for the presence of soil-transmitted helminth eggs, cysts, and oocysts of protozoans. A total of 400 soil samples were collected around latrines, at playgrounds, and behind classrooms in each school. These samples were examined using the sucrose flotation method. From the result obtained, an overall contamination rate of 7.75% was observed. Five genera of nematodes (Ascaris, Trichuris, Capillaria, Cooperia, and hookworms) were identified, while neither cysts nor oocysts of protozoans were detected. The contamination rate and the number of species found were significantly different in wet season as compared to the dry season. During the rainy season, this rate was 12.5% with all the parasitic stages identified, while, in the dry season, the soil contamination rate was 3% with the presence of only two genera (Ascaris and Trichuris). This suggests that parasite infection may occur mainly in rainy season rather than in the dry season. The most common eggs were those of Ascaris with 2% and 5% contamination rates in the dry and rainy seasons, respectively. Also, the soils around latrines were more contaminated (11.9%) as compared to those collected behind classrooms (7.5%) and those at playground (2.5%). It was concluded that the pupils of these schools may have played a major role in the contamination of their environment. Thus, sanitary education, enforcement of basic rules of hygiene, and deworming remain a necessity in the entire population of the study area in general and in the schools in particular in order to prevent helminth infections and to ensure effective environmental health.


Author(s):  
Maxwell Scale Uwadia Osagie ◽  
Osamwonyi Glory ◽  
Okoawo Bridget Obehi ◽  
Ikediashi A. John ◽  
Ekhator Joseph Osarenkhoe ◽  
...  

The viability of a society depends largely on the learning outcome of its teenagers. Raising them can be challenging because modern society is embolden with information communication technology (ICT) that do not only isolate them from peers but create mental disorder in them. ICT is not an isolated entity rather an embodiment of deferent technologies that act as an entity to delivering and channeling information. To ascertain it tendency in primary school and its impact on adolescent, this paper reviewed the concept of ICT and carried out a survey on its usage among adolescent. The survey questionnaire was structured on five points scale and the feedbacks from hundred respondents were analyzed with Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). From the findings, it was showed that the tendency of ICT by both private and government primary school is indeed poor and its impact on adolescent is on the downward trend. The study offered some recommendations including the need for government to carry out a holistic review of the primary schools curriculum so as to accommodate ICT usage.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rose Jummai MUSA ◽  
◽  
Adeyemi Abiodun ADEYINKA ◽  

The study investigated the effects of school environment and methods of teaching on language skills achievement of pre – primary school pupils in Edo State. It also investigated the interaction effects of Montessori and played methods and urban and rural environments on pupils' achievement in listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Three urban and three rural areas which were selected from two Local Government Areas (LGAs) were used for the study. Six pre - primary schools were purposively selected for the study. A total of 228 kindergartens 2 pupils intact classes were used for the study which lasted for eight weeks. The study was a pretest, posttest, quasi- experimental control group design with independent variables as methods and school location while achievement in Language Skills Achievement Test (LSAT) was the dependent variable. Descriptive statistics and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) were used to analyze the data obtained while the Multiple Classification Analysis (MCA) was used as post-hoc test for further significance. Three research questions were answered with three hypotheses, tested at 0.05 level of significance. Results showed that the Montessori Method of teaching pre –primary pupils was more effective than the play method. Similarly, urban school pupils achieved higher than their rural counterparts. There was also a significant interaction effect of methods and school location on pupils' academic achievement in Language skills. It was therefore recommended that the Nigerian Government should adopt the Montessori Method as a dominant method of teaching pre – primary school pupils and that pre – primary school owners should provide materials adequately for teaching and learning.


2011 ◽  
Vol 219 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babett Voigt ◽  
Ingo Aberle ◽  
Judith Schönfeld ◽  
Matthias Kliegel

The present study examined age differences in time-based prospective memory (TBPM) in primary school age children and tested the role of self-initiated memory retrieval and strategic time monitoring (TM) as possible developmental mechanisms. Fifty-four children were recruited from local primary schools (27 younger children, mean age = 7.2 ± 0.55 years, and 27 older children, mean age = 9.61 ± 0.71 years). The task was a driving game scenario in which children had to drive a vehicle (ongoing task) and to remember to refuel before the vehicle runs out of gas (TBPM task, i.e., the fuel gauge served as child-appropriate time equivalent). Fuel gauge was either displayed permanently (low level of self-initiation) or could only be viewed on demand by hitting a button (high level of self-initiation). The results revealed age-dependent TBPM differences with better performance in older children. In contrast, level of self-initiated memory retrieval did not affect TBPM performance. However, strategies of TM influenced TBPM, as more frequent time checking was related to better performance. Patterns of time checking frequency differed according to children’s age and course of the game, suggesting difficulties in maintaining initial strategic TM in younger children. Taken together, the study revealed ongoing development of TBPM across primary school age. Observed age differences seemed to be associated with the ability to maintain strategic monitoring.


The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with school refusal behavior in primary school students. Student’s self-report and teacher’s measures were implemented; and students were recruited from 20 primary schools in six districts in Selangor, Malaysia. The survey was conducted at the end of school term in 2016, with a total of 915 students from Year 4 and Year 5 participating. The sample of students had been absent from school for more than 15% of school days in the current year. Pearson correlation shows a significant relationship between academic achievement and school satisfaction toward school refusal behavior. The findings of this study suggest that academic difficulties and dissatisfaction towards school environment could be the important risk factors for school refusal behavior. The present study underscores the importance of early detection and intervention as measures to reduce school refusal. Finally, the findings imply that the role of school factors should always be taken into account in connection with school refusal behaviour.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 544
Author(s):  
Ermaida Dewi

The background of this research is an instrument of learning for reading comprehension which in general is still dominated by an instrument in the form of print out which makes the students’ interest to read is reduced. In addition, this instrument is usually done manually or handwritten so that the students’ work must be corrected manually and require some time to get the results. This study aims to develop instruments or measuring devices for reading comprehension in the Primary School in Pekanbaru and find out the feasibility of measuring devices for reading comprehension skills. This product is Macromedia Flash 8 based namely "MaCaMi" which stands forMari Membaca dan Memahami. The research method used was the 4D model with four stages, such as the define stage, the design phase, the develop phase, and the dessiminate stage which is limited to the third stage. The data of this study were obtained from product design expert validation questionnaire, questionnaire validated by linguists, teacher response questionnaire and students response questionnaire. The data were generated quantitatively and analyzed by using the assessment criteria to determine the product quality. The results of this study showed the assessment of product design experts in draft 1 had an average percentage of 69.61% with the appropriate category then had increased in draft 2 to 90.56% with the very feasible category. The results of  the feasibility test by linguists in draft 1 with had average percentage of 95.30% with the very feasible category then increased in draft 2 to 97.20% withn the very feasible category. The results of the teacher's response to the reading comprehension measuring instrument in the Primary School in Pekanbaru developed by researchers obtained an average percentage of 93.50% with a very good category and the results of students' responses to the measuring instrument obtained an average percentage of 89.90% with a category very good. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the product developed by researchers is feasible to be used as a measure of reading comprehension ability of primary school students.


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