Prevalence, Intensity, and Knowledge of Hookworm Infection among Rural Fishermen and Farmers in Rivers State, Nigeria: An Occupational Health Perspective
Bruce I1*, Alali AA1, Lawson SD2, Cookey-Gam IF1, Austin-Asomeji I1, Ogba AA3, Ogbonda PI1, Perri T4
1Department of Community Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Nigeria
2Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Medical Sciences Rivers State University, Nigeria
3.Department of Public Health Sciences, Rivers State University, Nigeria
4Department of Environmental Management, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Rivers State University, Nigeria.
Citation: Bruce I, Alali AA, Lawson SD, Cookey-Gam IF, Austin-Asomeji et al (2024) Prevalence, Intensity, and Knowledge of Hookworm Infection among Rural Fishermen and Farmers in Rivers State, Nigeria: An Occupational Health Perspective. SciTech Neuro-Mental Health 2024.
Received: October 21, 2024 Accepted: October 24, 2024 Published: October 24, 2024
Abstract
Background: Hookworm infestation adversely affect humans especially in developing countries. Agricultural workers are predisposed to acquiring hookworm infection due to direct exposure to soil or water where the filariform larvae which is the infective stage live and penetrate the skin.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence, infection intensity and knowledge of hookworm infestation among rural fishermen and farmers in Rivers State, Nigeria.
Method: A multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting the participants. 200 fishermen and 200 farmers were recruited between May and November 2021. Stool samples were processed using the Kato- Katz technique. 19 possible answers were summed up to assess knowledge. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26 and presented in charts and tables.
Result: The age of respondents ranged from 18 to 70 years with a mean age of 46 ± 12years. More than 50% of respondents have worked for 10 years. About half of respondents had only primary level of education while the average income was 30,000 Naira monthly. The prevalence of hookworm was 14.5% among fishermen and 12.5% among farmers. Both groups had majority of respondents with light intensity infection. For knowledge of hookworm infection, 55.86% of fishermen were assessed as having poor knowledge while 44.14% were deemed to have good knowledge. Among farmers, 44.13% had good knowledge and 55.86% had poor knowledge of hookworm infections.
Conclusion: The prevalence of hookworm was 14.5% among fishermen and 12.5% among farmers. Most respondents had low density hookworm infection while level of knowledge was generally poor. These figures are worrisome thus there is need for awareness of hookworm in particular and other soil-transmitted Helminthes in general in this informal occupational group.
Keywords: Fishermen, Farmers, Hookworm, Infection, Knowledge, Prevalence, Rural
