ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of giardiasis among school children in Afikpo, Afikpo North Local Government Area. Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The study was carried out from June to October, 2015. Direct smear, iodine wet mounts and formol-ether concentration technique was used to analyse the stool samples. Out of 600 stool samples from pupils aged 5-16 years from six primary schools examined, 30 (5.0%) were infected. The prevalence rate was higher among males 20 (5.7%) than in females 10 (4.8%) though it was not statistically significant (X2= 0.91 d.f= 1, P>0.05). Pupils in age group 8-10 years had the highest prevalence 15 (5.8%) while those in age group 11-13 years had the lowest prevalence 9 (3.9 %). Similarly, pupils in primary 2 had the highest prevalence 12 (7.1%) while those in primary 6 had the lowest value 2 (2.5 %). Infection was higher among children whose parents were traders 14 (11.7%), farmers 10(10.0%) than those of civil servants 6 (1.6%). There was a statistical difference in the prevalence of giardiasis with respect to occupation of parents of these children (X2= 25.85, d.f 2, P

<0.05). On the sources of drinking water, children who drank rain water and stream water recorded high prevalence of 17 (6.4%) and 13 (3.6%) respectively. There was statistical signfficant difference in the prevalence of giardiasis with respect to the sources of water (X26.42. d.i = 2, P><0.05). This finding indicates that giardiasis was prevalent among school children in Afikpo. It is recommended that adequate health education and sanitary measures should be carried out in order to decrease the rate of (Jiardia infection in schools. >