Prevalence of Ascariasis among Secondary School Students in Akwanga, Central Nigeria.

Ascariasis has a worldwide distribution. It causes death, impairs the physical, mental and intellectual development thereby exerting tremendous, impact on productivity of individuals especially the future leaders of tomorrow. This study is to determine the prevalence of Ascariasis among secondary school students in Akwanga, Central Nigeria. Two hundred and fourthy three (243) stool samples were examined for parasitic infections using the direct smear and formal-ether concentration techniques. 15 (6.17%) of the students were found to be positive for the parasites. The highest prevalence of 11.54% was recorded among students from Government secondary school Akwanga south. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the prevalence of Ascariasis among students examined from various schools. Public schools has high infection rate (6.61%) as compares to private school (5.74%). Students within the age groups 11-13 and 14-16 had high infection rate of 6.38% and 6.47% respectively. Females were more infected (7.97%) than males (3.81%). The overall occurrence of other parasites was 10.69% with Entamoeba histolytica having the highest occurrence (7.82%) followed by Ancylostoma duodenale and Schistosoma mansoni both having 1.23% occurrence each. Taenia species has the least occurrence (0.41%). Improved sanitation, personal hygiene deliberate policy for regular deworming of students by the government will decrease the rate of intestinal parasitic infections. Keywords: Ascariasis, Prevalence, Infections and hygien