Prevalence of intestinal helminths among primary school children in Ihumudumu Community, Ekpoma, Edo, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey of intestinal helminth parasites among school pupils was conducted in two primary schools within Ihumudumu community of Ekpoma, in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria, between  December 2012 and February 2013. A total of 380 faecal samples were randomly collected from pupils of both sexes whose ages ranged between 5-14 years. Using the direct wet smear and formol-ether sedimentation techniques  to process the faeces, 71(18.7%) of the samples were found positive for various intestinal helminths; with  Hookworm accounting for 8.4% of total number examined. Ascaris lumbricoides was 3.4%, Trichuris trichiura 2.6%, Enterobius vermicularis 1.1%, Schistosoma mansoni 0.8%, Strongyloides stercoralis 0.8%, and Fasciola spp.  0.5%. Mixed infections were observed in 4(1.1%) of the pupils. Sex did not significantly affect the pattern of  infection (P>0.05) but age affected it significantly (P<0.05). Infections were detected in both schools with the  difference being statistically significant (p < 0.05). Our findings indicated that intestinal helminthiasis was relatively  not prevalent in the area, and as such, control and preventive measures such as chemotherapy, provision of adequate  sanitary facilities and potable drinking water, improved personal hygiene and Health education should be the focus  of government and non-governmental Health providers.

Keywords: Prevalence, Intestinal helminthes, Parasites, School children