Intestinal parasitic infestation in rural communities: a focus for primary health care in Nigeria.

The prevalence of the 3 most common types of helminth infections was surveyed in 4 villages in Oyo State Nigeria and antihelminth medications were distributed by community-based-workers (CBWs). The villages were Ijaye and Ikereku 30 km north of Ibadan and Faforiji and Ifewara 120 km southeast of Ibadan. A total of 827 stool samples were collected at random by the CBWs and examined under light microscope. 68.7% of the samples were positive 39% of which had 2 or more species and 12% had 3 or more. The most common infestations were Ascaris in 58.2% of the total population Trichuris in 14.9% hookworm in 13.8% and Strongyloides in 1.0%. Ascaris and Trichuris was the most common double infection followed by hookworm and Ascaris. Ascaris was most prevalent in young children; hookworm in farmers and in adults >45 years. Since CBWs enjoy respect among these people and were able to collect stool samples and distribute oral medication it is suggested that periodic de-worming of pre-schoolers school children and farmers would improve nutritional status and food production in the area.