Abstract
This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and possible risk factors associated with geohelminths infection among infants in parts of Sokoto State. A total of one thousand six hundred and twenty (1,620) infants, aged between 1 and 24 months were randomly selected from nine Local Government Areas (Wurno, Rabah, Gwadabawa, Yabo, Shagari, Wamakko, Sokoto north, Sokoto
south and Bodinga) of Sokoto State for the study. Stool samples were collected and analysed using the formol-ether concentration technique. The infant’s demographic data and mothers behavioural characteristics were recorded in a structured questionnaire administered to mothers or care-givers. Out of the 1,620 infants examined, 24 (1.5%) were infected with at least one of the four soil-transmitted helminthes which are, Ascaris lumbricoides 0.1% (2/1620), Hookworm 1.0% (17/1620), Trichuris trichiura 0.1% (1/1620), and Strongyloides stercoralis 0.2% (4/1620). Only hookworm prevalence was significantly different (P< 0.05) to the other three infections. The prevalence in males (1.4%) and females (1.5%) infants did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). The prevalence of infantile geohelminths in infants, at aged 1-6 months was significant, which suggest that mothers are most likely responsible for transmitting geohelminths infection to their infants. There was positive correlation between obese infants and ages 1-6 (r = 0.530), 7-12 (0.706) and 13-18 (0.880), while ages 19-24 (r = -0.865) was negatively correlated. Those infants, whose mothers, use well water were three times more likely to be infected (OR= 3.162) than those that use tap water (OR= 0.938). Mother’s education and occupation associate with the prevalence of the parasite infection among the infant (OR > 1). The low infection of geohelminthiasis in the infants suggests that the on-going deworming programme in the study area is effective in arresting the spread of the disease and should therefore be sustained.

Key words: Soil-transmitted helminths, Infants, Age, Gender, Sokoto State.