Prevalence of intestinal helminthes among pupils of Federal University of Technology staff school, Owerri, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthes among pupils of Federal University of Technology staff primary school Ihiagwa, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State Nigeria, between July and December 2002. Helminthological surveys based on stool examination for helminth ova showed that of 200 pupils, aged between 5-11 years, 125 were infected. 33.5% males and 29.5% females were infected respectively. The most commonly found worms were and Trichuris trichuris with mean egg count per gram of feces being 4,800, 2,600 and 1,250 respectively. A. lumbricoidis had higher prevalence (43%) followed by A. duodenale, (8%) and Strongyloids stercoralis (5%) with Enterobius vermicularis as the least (0.5%). Infection was dependent on sex and parental occupation but decreased significantly with increase in host age and body weight. Suggestions are made for the improvement and maintenance of environmental sanitation and general hygiene for the growth, physical and cognitive ability of the pupils.

Keywords: Intestinal helminthes; prevalence; staff school; pupils; Nigeria

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 2 (3) 2006: pp. 250-254