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PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL HELMINTHS INFECTIONS AMONG SCHOOLING CHILDREN IN TROPICAL SEMI URBAN COMMUNITIES
Authors: EKPENYONG, Ekaette Asuquo and EYO, Joseph Effiong
Number of views: 19
Prevalence of intestinal helminths infections among school children in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria were studied between July and December 2005. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were recorded among the 1,296 school children (ages 4 – 15) randomly sampled and examined for intestinal helminthes. The prevalence of intestinal helminths varied significantly among schools sampled (P < 0.05). Central School, Ovoko had the highest percent prevalence for Ascaris lumbricoides (9.3 %), hookworm (6.0 %) and Trichuris trichiura (2.3 %). The least per cent prevalence of A. lumbricoides was recorded in Community Primary School, Iheakpu-Awka (2.3 %), while the least per cent prevalence of hookworm occurred in Community Primary School 3, Itchi. T. trichiura was not recorded in community primary schools in Itchi, Unadu and Iheakpu-Awka. Similarly, the prevalence of these parasitic helminths varied significantly among the age groups (P < 0.05), with age groups 4 – 6, highly infected with A. lumbricoides (7.0 %), 13 – 15 with hookworm (3.7 %) and 7 – 9 with T. trichiura (1.2 %). T. trichiura was absent in stool samples of 4 – 6 and 13 – 15 age groups. The prevalence of these intestinal parasites also varied significantly between the sexes, with females having comparatively more A. lumbricoides (5.4 %), hookworm (3.2 %) and T. trichiura (0.8 %) than males. Our study indicated that intestinal helminthiasis was prevalent in the area, and as such, control measures such as chemotherapy, provision of adequate sanitary facilities and potable drinking water, improved personal hygiene and health education should be the focus of non-governmental and governmental health institutions in Nigeria.