Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are parasitic worms that infect humans and animals, particularly in resource-limited settings. These helminths, including roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), whipworm (Trichuris trichiura), and hookworm, are of zoonotic importance and are usually found in soil and water. Their ability to survive in soil and water, given their universal nature, underscores the need for their continued study to maintain a healthy animal-human-environment interface. Using a systematic, aligned sampling and an ArcGIS-generated map of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) campus, soil and water samples were collected from geo-referenced points where there are animal-human interactions. Physicochemical properties such as soil pH, temperature, and texture, as well as water pH and temperature, were recorded. Soil samples were analysed microscopically via modified centrifugal flotation using salt/sugar solution at a specific gravity of 1.3, and water samples were analysed using the sedimentation technique. Parasite identities were confirmed using Standard parasitology atlases. Associations between physicochemical properties and parasite distribution were assessed using chi-square (χ²) analysis, with p<0.05 taken as significant. The soil contamination rate was 60.5%, and the water contamination rate was 40%. Identified STHs included Ascaris spp. eggs (soil: 56.5%; water: 36%), hookworm eggs (soil: 7.8%; water: 4%), and Trichuris spp. eggs (soil: 1.3%). Physicochemical properties were non-significant (p = 0.82 and p = 0.28) except soil moisture (p = 0.04). High contamination rates highlight the need for sanitation and public health education to mitigate zoonotic risks caused by STHs on the campus.
BT - Animal Research International DA - 07/2026 IS - 2 LA - ENG M3 - Article N2 -Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are parasitic worms that infect humans and animals, particularly in resource-limited settings. These helminths, including roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), whipworm (Trichuris trichiura), and hookworm, are of zoonotic importance and are usually found in soil and water. Their ability to survive in soil and water, given their universal nature, underscores the need for their continued study to maintain a healthy animal-human-environment interface. Using a systematic, aligned sampling and an ArcGIS-generated map of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) campus, soil and water samples were collected from geo-referenced points where there are animal-human interactions. Physicochemical properties such as soil pH, temperature, and texture, as well as water pH and temperature, were recorded. Soil samples were analysed microscopically via modified centrifugal flotation using salt/sugar solution at a specific gravity of 1.3, and water samples were analysed using the sedimentation technique. Parasite identities were confirmed using Standard parasitology atlases. Associations between physicochemical properties and parasite distribution were assessed using chi-square (χ²) analysis, with p<0.05 taken as significant. The soil contamination rate was 60.5%, and the water contamination rate was 40%. Identified STHs included Ascaris spp. eggs (soil: 56.5%; water: 36%), hookworm eggs (soil: 7.8%; water: 4%), and Trichuris spp. eggs (soil: 1.3%). Physicochemical properties were non-significant (p = 0.82 and p = 0.28) except soil moisture (p = 0.04). High contamination rates highlight the need for sanitation and public health education to mitigate zoonotic risks caused by STHs on the campus.
PY - 2026 EP - 7250 – 7263 T2 - Animal Research International TI - Prevalence, Spatial Distribution and Mapping of Soiltransmitted Helminths in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria UR - https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/133633935/29._Akande_et_al._accepted_paper-libre.pdf?1785362896=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DPREVALENCE_SPATIAL_DISTRIBUTION_AND_MAPP.pdf&Expires=1787220352&Signature=FeG4HkqFxTVATtYQ85Xo8Cr8JSBP VL - 23 ER -