Malaria and soil transmitted helminthes co-infection among Abia State polytechnic students, Aba, Southeastern Nigeria

Soil transmitted helminthes and malaria infections are among the endemic parasitic diseases that have caused over half a million deaths in most tropical parts of the world, where both have similar geographical distribution and co-infections are common. In Nigeria and other tropical countries, malaria and helminthes infections are reportedly endemic and pose significant health problems. It becomes very necessary therefore to determine the impact of malaria and helminthes co-infection. Fresh stool and blood samples were collected from 400 students of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, aged 18 years and above. The stool samples were analyzed using saline wet mount method. Blood was collected by finger prick to determine malaria parasitemia using thick film method. Univariant analysis and chi-square statistical tests were used to analyze the data. Out of 400 students sampled, consisting of 160(40.0%) males and 240(60.0%) females, 141(35.3%) and 72(18.0%) students were infected with malaria and intestinal helminthes respectively. The percentage co-infection was 53(13.3%). The males were more infected for both malaria (36.9%) and helminthes infection (18.1%) than the females (34.2%) for malaria and 17.9% for helminthes infection. However, the statistical analysis showed that co-infection of malaria and helminthes infections do not depend on sex. Species of soil transmitted helminthes isolated from the stool samples include Ascaris lumbricoides (4.5%), Hookworm (6.0%) and Trichuris trichura (4.8%). Malaria and soil helminthes infection may co-exist without clinical symptoms, yet they pose serious health threats to the public. Interventions and improvement in sanitation, drainage of stagnant water, health education and the need to sleep on insecticidetreated bed net are highly recommended.