ABSTRACT:
Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STHs) are intestinal parasites that rely on soil for part of their life cycle and are transmitted to humans through ova ingestion or skin penetration. Key risk factors include poor sanitation, and improper waste management. Despite all control measures, infection persist, showing that the environmental matrix, like contaminated soil aid continuous transmission of parasites. This study assessed the prevalence and intensity of STHs in soil collected from selected dumpsites in four Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ibadan: Ibadan North, Ido, Ibadan North East, and Egbeda. A cross-sectional study was conducted between September to November 2024, and a total of 312 soil samples were collected from 12 dumpsites across the four LGAs. Soil samples were examined using sedimentation and modified Baermann techniques and parasites were identified using microscopy. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22, Chi-square tests used to compare prevalence across dumpsites and ANOVA was used to assess differences in mean parasite intensity at (p>0.05). Out of the total samples examined, 43.9% had at least one STH parasite. Strongyloides larvae were the most prevalent STH observed (45.6%), followed by hookworm (31.4%), Strongyloides adults (18.6%) and Ascaris species had the least prevalent of (4.4%) The highest parasite intensity was observed in Ido LGA (3.93), followed by Ibadan North (2.74), Ibadan North-East (2.57) and the lowest was recorded in Egbeda (1.41). This study revealed the risk of STH transmission from soils around dumpsites and points the need for environmental interventions including proper sanitation and health education to reduce environmental reservoirs of STHs.