Prevalence of Amoebiasis Infection amongst Primary School Children in Uli, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the prevalence of amoebiasis amongst primary school children in Uli, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State. One hundred (100) randomly selected children from four schools, aged 4-15 years of both sexes were screened. Questionnaires were distributed and information on each child was recorded. The results revealed that 60% of the tested population was infected with amoebiasis. The rate of prevalence between sexes and age groups were statistically insignificant. Prevalence rate was 64% in males and 56% in females. The age bracket 8-11years showed the highest infection rate of 68.1%, while the age bracket 12-15years assumed the least prevalence of 50%. The rate of infection relating to parents’ occupation was significant to amoebiasis infection. Children belonging to trader/farmer parents had higher prevalence of 73.7% than those of the civil servants with 16.6%. There is high degree of correlation between sources of drinking water and toilet facilities and the prevalence rate of amoebiasis infection in Uli.

Keywords: Amoebiasis Infection, prevalence, school children, Uli, Nigeria.