Prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminths in school children in Mbaukwu, Anambra State, Nigeria

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastro-intestinal helminth parasites among 514 pupils aged 5-16 years in five primary schools in Mbaukwu, Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was used to determine the socio-economic factors enhancing the transmission of the parasites. Six helminth parasites were isolated, namely, Hookworm (37.3%), Ascaris lumbricoides (33.6%), Trichuris trichiura (11.7%) Strongyloides stercoralis (8.2%), Taenia spp (6.90/0) and Schistosoma mansoni (2.8%). Multiple parasitism were also encountered. Pupils in the agegroup 9-12 years had the highest infection rate (41.0%) followed by those in age-group 5-9 (40.1%). Infection rate was higher among (p>0.05) females than males though not statistically significant. Infection was higher among those whose parents were farmers and traders than those of civil servants. Infection was also higher among pupils who used nearby bushes for defaecation than those who use pit latrine and water. Sanitation should be encouraged in order to control the disease since the high prevalence was found to be associated with unsanitary habits. There is the need to incorporate the control of intestinal helminthiasis into Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). Keywords: helminth, parasites, prevalence, Mbaukwu.Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 29 (1) 2008 pp. 15-1