Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites among primary school pupils in Abayi, Osisioma Ngwa L.G.A, Abia State, Nigeria
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Date
2022
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National Open University, Zimbabew
Abstract
Gastrointestinal parasitic infection is one of the neglected tropical disease known to be a significant contributor to mortality and
morbidity especially amongst school children in tropical Africa. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of
gastrointestinal parasites among primary school pupils in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area Abia State, Nigeria between
the months of March and October, 2015.Prior to the study, consent of parents and guardian of the pupils were sort and approval
obtained. A total of 648 pupils aged 5-13 years made up of 324 males and 324 females in primaries one to six had their faecal
samples examined. Direct smear and formol ether concentration techniques were the parasitological procedures used for the
faecal examination. A total of 281 (43.36%) children were infected. Four parasites were observed namely Ascaris lumbricoides
(40.8%), Entamoeba coli (38.9%), Hookworm (17.1%) and Trichuris trichiura (3.3%). Mixed infections were also encountered.
The combination of A. lumbricoides and Hookworm was the most common (67.1%). The age group 5-7 years had the highest
prevalence (83.33%). More females (46.60%) than males (40.12%) were infected though the result showed a statistically non significant difference. The public schools recorded a higher prevalence (48.46%) than the private schools (38.27%). Infection
was highest in pupils in primary 3 (57.41%) (P > 0.05). Pupils whose mothers are farmers recorded the highest prevalence
(96.67%). Many of the pupils (65,8%) responded “No” to eating food that fell to the ground. Those who used water closet system
type of toilet had more infection (43.85%) than those who used pit latrine (41.67%) (P < 0.05). Infection based on sources of
water for drinking and domestic purposes shows that those who used the combination of borehole and harvested rain water were
the most infected (56.89%). This study recorded an overall parasitic infections of 43.4%. De-worming of pupils should be made
an essential component of school health programmes. Adequate health education is also recommended and proper sanitary
measures should be put in place to help reduce to the barest minimum infection with gastrointestinal parasites in school children.
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Keywords
gastrointestinal helminthes, parasites, school children
Citation
Prevalence, gastrointestinal parasites,Abayi