INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG UNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS, IN ORAIFITE, EKWUSIGO L.G.A., ANAMBRA STATE, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA.

INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG UNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN ORAIFITE, EKWUSIGO L.G.A., ANAMBRA STATE, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites among pupils in Unity primary school in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria. Of the 462 surveyed pupils, 47.6% had parasitic infection. Seven intestinal parasites were isolated; Ascaris lumbricoides (12.8%), Hookworm (7.6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (4.8%), Trichuris trichiura (1.9%), Entamoeba histolytica (11.0%), Entamoeba coli (6.7%), Giardia lamblia (2.8%). Prevalence rate was higher among (p > 0.5) males than females though not statistically significance. Pupils in the age-group 10-14 years had the highest prevalence value (61.4%) while those in age-group 5-9 years had the lowest prevalence value (24.1%). Infection was higher among those whose parents were farmers and traders than those of civil servants. Prevalence was also higher among nursery school pupils. Health education, sanitation and mass chemotherapy should be encouraged in order to control intestinal parasitic disease in the school.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Intestinal parasites are parasites that populate the gastro-intestinal tract. They are larger than bacteria and viruses but some of them are so small that one cannot see them without a microscope. Intestinal parasitic infections have been described as constituting the greatest single worldwide cause of illness and disease. Numerous studies have shown that the incidence of intestinal parasites may approach 99% in developing countries (Ambrose, 2001).

Intestinal parasitic infections are among the