Helminth ova in soil from children's playgrounds in Calabar, Nigeria.

A study was undertaken to examine the helminth ova in soil from children's playgrounds in Calabar, Nigeria. A total of 150 soil samples were collected from the playgrounds studied. Ova of Ascaris lumbricoides (10 percent, 12 percent and 20 percent) were found in these playgrounds. In addition, each of the following helminth ova was found respectively in each of the playgrounds: Trichuris vulpis (4 percent), Toxocara canis (8 percent) and Strongyloides stercoralis (6 percent). The public health aspects of these findings are discussed.