PREVALENCE OF SOIL-TRANSMITTED NEMATODES IN THE SOIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT-HARCOURT, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT This study investigated the prevalence of Soil-Transmitted Nematodes in the soil of the University of Port-Harcourt. A total of 90 soil samples were collected from selected sites across the three campuses. The samples sites were selected based on the level of hygiene, anthropogenic activities. The samples were analyzed using the modified Baermann’s method to extract the nematodes. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS and Chi-square test. The total amount of nematodes extracted from the three campuses was 251. The overall prevalence of nematodes in the study was 63(70%) of which Abuja campus had a prevalence of 17(56.67%) while Choba campus had a prevalence of 22(73.33%) and Delta campus had a prevalence 24(80%). Delta campus had the highest prevalence and Abuja campus had the lowest prevalence. The difference in the prevalence of nematodes in the campuses was not statistically significant (p>0.05). However, Delta campus had the highest nematode abundance with a total of 149 nematodes and Abuja campus had the least nematode abundance with a total of 45 nematodes. The nematode relative abundance was, A. lumbricoides 34(13.55%), T. trichura 24(9.56%). S. stercoralis 127(50.60%), Hookworm 66(26.29%). In general S. stercoralis had the highest relative abundance in the three campuses 127(50.60%) (the most common species). These findings highlight the need to enhance campus sanitation and health education to combat nematodes transmission.