Status of intestinal parasites infection in schoolchildren at Yauri Emirate of Kebbi state, northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

A study was conducted between May and September 2005, to determine the status of infection with intestinal parasites among school children in Yauri Emirate of Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria. A total of 327 stool specimens from children were examined for helminth ova and protozoan cysts by formalin-ether concentration method. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most frequently encountered parasite with a prevalence of 26.30%, followed by Entamoeba histolytica with prevalence of 17.13%. Others encountered included Trichuris trichura (0.92%), Strongyloides stercoralis (1.22%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.31%), Schistosoma mansoni (1.22%), Fasciola gigantica (0.92%), Taenia saginata (0.31%), Entamoeba coli (1.53%), Balantidium coli (2.14%). Only two cases of mixed infections were observed. By this survey, it was conjectured that intestinal parasitic infections were prevalent in the area.

Keywords: Intestinal parasites, worms, school children, Nigeria

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 6(1): 72-75, 2010