Soil Ingestion Prevalence among School-Age Children in Ibadan, Nigeria

Soil ingestion is an important pathway of children’s exposure to environmental contaminants. School-Age Children (SAC) behaviours and activities promote direct contact with soil leading to soil ingestion. However, limited studies have addressed soil ingestion among SAC in Africa. The study therefore assessed soil ingestion prevalence by age, gender and associated behaviours as well as activities among SAC. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 204 SAC aged 6 to 11 years old in Ibadan, Nigeria, using a semi-structured questionnaire. Fifty-four percent were females and children aged 9 – 10 years represented 51% of the population. Overall, previous prevalence of soil ingestion was high (74%) among the children. About 20% SAC, (6 – 8 and 9 – 11 years), 16% males and 14% females ingest soil often (generally when playing). SAC, 9 – 11 than 6 – 8 years had greater awareness (87% versus 72%) of harmful substances in the soil when consumed. Behaviours and activities involving direct contact with soil revealed: >50% SAC 6 – 8 years, males and females alike played with soil; males (83%) than females (65%) kicked soil during play; 5% (6 – 8 years); 7% (9 – 11 years); 2% (males) and 8% (females) picked dropped food all the time from any floor type with 33% females picking from bare soil. School playgrounds (61%) and compounds (83%) were bare soil. Proximity of schools to roads (87%) and heavy traffic (86%) was high. These school-age children practised soil ingestion. Age and gender influenced children’s soil contact activities. Studies on soil ingestion among children is necessary to improve risks assessment from soil-borne contaminants.