Prevalence Of Gastro-Intestinal Parasites In Relation To Availability Of Sanitary Facilities Among Schooling Children In Makurdi, Nigeria

The prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in school children in relation to availability of sanitaryfacilities was investigated. Stool samples from 580 pupils from nine schools in Makurdi were examined for intestinal parasites. Sanitary facilties available within the schools were also noted. The overall prevalence rate of parasitic infection was 5413%. Pupils in schools that had lower ratio of number of pupils per toilet had lower infection rates than those from schools with high ratio of number of pupils per toilet. This was however not statistically sgnificant (X 22.272, d = 2, P > 0.05). The following parasites were encountered, namely Ascaris lumbricoides (11.89%), Ancylostoma duodenale (18.62 %), Strongyloides steroralis (1.89%), Trichuris trichura (4.65%), Tapeworm (3.79 %), Entamoeba histolytica (7.06 %), Schistosoma mansoni (1.55 %) and Entemoeba coli (2.41 %). The implications of these results were discussed highlighting the need for provision of sanitary facilities: lke children friendly toiets portable water and fencing the school premises from trespassers as long-term intervention strategies. Occasional activities like mass school based chemotherapy and health education are recommended as immediate interventionstrategies to prevent and control intestinal parasite Keywords: Intestinal parasites, School children, Sanitary facilitiesAnimal Research International Vol. 3 (2) 2006 pp. 489-49