Abstract

To determine the risk factors associated with Hookworm infection among patients attending Usmanu Danfodiyo University Clinic, main Campus, a cross sectional study was conducted. A total of 100 stool samples were collected and analyzed using wet mount and Formol ether concentration techniques. An overall prevalence of 71.0% was obtained. Prevalence was higher among males (73.2%), age group 3-17 years (89.5%), farmers (90.0%) and patients who do not wash hands after meals (87.2%). Chi square and Binary logistic regression statistical analyses indicated no significant association of hookworm infection and gender, age, occupation and hand washing after meals (P>0.05). However, it was found that open defecation (χ2=2.563, P= 0.045), ignorance of hookworm infection (χ2=0.127, P= 0.043), having dirty finger nails (χ2=17.04, P= 0.034), walking barefooted (χ2=12.366, P= 0.045), not washing hands after toilet (χ2=59.507, P= 0.000) and fetching water from wells and rivers (χ2= 25.127, P= 0.029) were the most important risk factors associated with hookworm infection in the study area. Mass drug administration, health education, personal hygiene, and provision of portable drinking water and public toilets are highly recommended among the study population.

Keywords

Hookworm, Patients, Danfodiyo, Clinic, Risk Factors.

Received on 23/01/2019, Accepted on 16/02/2019, Published on 10/03/2019