Evaluation of health risk in relation to geohelminths in dumpsites of Ondo Town, Nigeria

The study evaluated the contamination level of geohelminths and the health risk in two major dumpsites at Ondo town of Ondo State. One hundred and eighty soil samples were collected from randomly selected sites through the use of quadrant between May and July, 2018 from two locations. Soil samples were analyzed for the presence of helminth ova and larvae following standard procedures. The patterns of parasite prevalence in relation to soil physiochemical parameters were determined. 168 (93.3%) soil samples were positive after analyses for different parasite stages. Epe soil recorded higher prevalence of 88 (97.8%) and the sub-soil had higher number of parasites 94 (52.2%) than the top soil 74 (41.1%). Parasite types found included hookworm (Necator americanus) (36.7%), Strongyloides stercoralis (15.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides (28.9%) and Trichuris trichuria (18.9%). The mean soil temperature and pH were 27.9 ± 0.7°C and 6.0 ± 0.5% respectively. The presence of viable soil transmitted helminths (STHs) eggs/larvae in soil suggest possible active transmission and high rate of exposure to infective agents among the inhabitants. There is a need for health education on risk associated with STH infection in the environment and public investments on sanitation that is essential to, protect individuals, control geohelminths and other sanitary related infectious diseases.