Original Research Article
Year: 2015 | Month: December | Volume: 2 | Issue: 12 | Pages: 732-738
Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Risk Factors among School Children (5 - 16 Years) in Ihite-Ude, Ofeme Community in Umuahia North L.G.A, Abia State
Ihemanma C.A, Oladele O.T.
Department of Biology/Microbiology, Abia state Polytechnic, Aba, Abia state, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author: Ihemanma C.A
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated risk factors among children of 5-16 years old in Ihite-Ude Ofeme Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State. Out of two hundred (200) children that participated in the study, 70 were males and 130, females. Well structured questionnaire was used to identify environmental, socio demographic and behavioural factors. Stool samples were collected from all the participants and examined for parasites using direct smear method. Three species of intestinal parasites were identified with an overall prevalence of 60 (30%) out of which 30 (42.86%) were males and 30 (23.08%) were females. The most prevalent intestinal parasite identified was Ancylostoma duodenale 34 (17%) followed by Trichuris trichiura 12(6%) and Ascaris lumbricoides 14(7%). The highest prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infection was observed in age group of 5-8 years 24 (32.43%) whereas 9-12 years age group had the lowest prevalence rate of 24 (27.91%). The prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infection in the area is moderate and the infection is dependent on sex, whereas it is independent on age. This information may provide valuable statistics needed for planning meaningful public control programmes that aim at reducing the prevalence and morbidity of parasitic infections. Therefore, interventions including improvement of sanitation, provision of safe water, repeated deworming and health education on personal hygiene to the children and to their parents should be intensified.
Keywords:Intestinal Parasites, Prevalence, School Children, Risk Factors.