Background: Soil transmitted helminth (STH) infections still remain a notable health problem in resource-limited countries due to difficulties in the implementation of control measures. In Nigeria for instance, despite several community-based and provincial reports, national data on prevalence, burdens and risk zones (RZs) for STH infections are lacking.
Methods: The present study employed the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to determine the prevalence, distribution and RZs for STH infections among Nigerian children through a meta-analysis of data published between 1980 and 2015. Pooled prevalence estimate (PPE) was determined by the random-effects model while heterogeneity was evaluated using the Cochran's Q-test.
Results: A total of 18 901 of the 34 518 Nigerian children aged 0-17 years examined across 19 Nigerian states during the period under review were infected with one or more species of STHs. The overall PPE for STH infections was 54.8% (95% CI: 54.2-55.3). PPEs for sub-groups ranged between 13.2% (95% CI: 11.5-15.1) and 80.9% (95% CI: 80.0-81.7). Highest PPEs for STH infections were observed among children within community settings (59.0%, 95% CI: 57.7-60.4) and school-aged children (54.9%, 95% CI: 54.3-55.5). Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent species (44.6%, 95% CI: 44.0-45.2). Over 36% (15/41) of the studies were published from south-western Nigeria. South-western region was the only high risk zone (HRZ) for STH infections while the rest of the regions were low risk zones (LRZs).
Conclusions: STH infections involving Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis, Trichuris trichiura and hookworms are highly prevalent across Nigeria. Strategic use of anthelmintics, health education and adequate sanitation, taking into account this epidemiologic information will help in the control of these infections in Nigeria.
Keywords: Children; Distribution; Nigeria; Prevalence; Risk zones; Soil-transmitted helminth infections.