Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) infections are among the most common global infections, predominantly affecting school-aged children in areas with poor sanitation. This study investigated the prevalence and intensity of STH in soil samples from selected public primary schools in Karu and Keffi Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A total of 159 soil samples were collected systematically from the toilet areas, dumpsites, and playgrounds of four selected schools. The isolation and recovery of parasite eggs and larvae were conducted using flotation and centrifugation techniques alongside the modified Baermann sieving and decanting method. Results revealed an overall STH prevalence of 49.69% (79 positive samples). Keffi LGA recorded a higher prevalence of 53.33%, while Karu LGA recorded 44.93%. Kofar Hausa Primary School had the highest prevalence at 67.8%. The toilet areas yielded the highest mean parasite intensity (1.63±0.045), while the lowest was in the playgrounds (1.00±0.20). Three geohelminth species were identified, with Hookworm being the most prevalent (63.55%), followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (28.03%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (8.41%). The study concludes that school-aged children in these areas are at substantial risk of geohelminthiasis due to poor hygiene and open defecation practices. It is recommended that stakeholders implement standard Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) policies, conduct periodic school-based deworming, and construct wellmaintained toilet facilities
BT - International Journal of Innovative Biosciences Research DA - 03/2026 IS - 1 LA - ENG M3 - Article N2 -Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) infections are among the most common global infections, predominantly affecting school-aged children in areas with poor sanitation. This study investigated the prevalence and intensity of STH in soil samples from selected public primary schools in Karu and Keffi Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A total of 159 soil samples were collected systematically from the toilet areas, dumpsites, and playgrounds of four selected schools. The isolation and recovery of parasite eggs and larvae were conducted using flotation and centrifugation techniques alongside the modified Baermann sieving and decanting method. Results revealed an overall STH prevalence of 49.69% (79 positive samples). Keffi LGA recorded a higher prevalence of 53.33%, while Karu LGA recorded 44.93%. Kofar Hausa Primary School had the highest prevalence at 67.8%. The toilet areas yielded the highest mean parasite intensity (1.63±0.045), while the lowest was in the playgrounds (1.00±0.20). Three geohelminth species were identified, with Hookworm being the most prevalent (63.55%), followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (28.03%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (8.41%). The study concludes that school-aged children in these areas are at substantial risk of geohelminthiasis due to poor hygiene and open defecation practices. It is recommended that stakeholders implement standard Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) policies, conduct periodic school-based deworming, and construct wellmaintained toilet facilities
PB - SEAHI PUBLICATIONS PY - 2026 SP - 101 EP - 111 T2 - International Journal of Innovative Biosciences Research TI - The Intensity Of Soil Transmitted Helminths Of Selected Public Schools At Karu And Keffi Local Government Areas, Nasarawa State, Nigeria UR - https://www.seahipublications.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IJIBR-M-11-2026.pdf VL - 14 SN - 2467-8457 ER -