Hookworm infection among humans in Panda, Panda Development Area, Karu Iga of Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Comparative studies on the prevalence rate of hookworm infection in Panda, Panda Development Area, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria was carried out between the months of April to July, 2011. The procedure involved collecting and processing of stool samples in accordance with standard parasitological techniques. Out of 288 samples collected, 114 (39.58%) were positive for hookworm infection with a peak in those subjects in the age group 0 – 10 years (50.66%), followed by 21– 30 years (41.17%) and then 61 – 70 years had the least infection rate of 4 (28.57%). This study showed that the prevalence of infection was higher among males (42.94%) compared to females (35.60%), and significant difference exists in the rate of infection between the two sexes (P < 0.05). There was more infection of Hookworm among farmers (55.88%) than civil servants; and the latter had the least infection rate of (28.57%). The above prevalence rate of infection could become higher in years to come and therefore become more threatening due to increase in birth rate and other socio-economic factors.