ABSTRACT

The burden of intestinal helminth infection among primary school children has been documented as the major cause of morbidity, mortality and poor intellectual development among this group worldwide. This study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal helminth infections among primary school children in three selected primary schools from Ugwunagbo area of Abia State, Nigeria. A cross sectional study involving 245 primary school children was performed from June to August, 2018. Stool samples of the children were collected in cleansed sample bottles from the parents, teachers and care-givers. The samples were taken to Zoology and Environmental Biology postgraduate laboratory for microscopic examination as fresh wet sample. Deposits from formol-ether concentration technique were used in each case and observed microscopically using x10 and x40 objective for helminth identification. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data on the demographic and risk factors associated with intestinal helminth infection. The overall prevalence of intestinal helminth infection was 85 (34.69%). Among the selected schools, Owerri Aba primary school had the highest prevalence 26 (38.24%), followed by new world kiddies 40 (33.06%). Abayi Mbato had the lowest prevalence 19 (33.93%). Males had more prevalence 40 (34.48%) than females 45 (34.61%) in the overall infection though not statistical significant (P>0.05). The age group 5 — 7 years had the highest infection 36 (39.56%) followed by 11 — 13 years 14 (34.15%). 8 — 10 years had the least prevalence 35 (30.97%). The helminth parasites species occurrence included A. lumbricoides 72(62.07%) followed by hookworm 21(18.10%), Trichiura 11(9.48%) Fasciola specie 6(5.17%) and Taenia species 4(3.45%). S. mansoni had the lowest occurrence 2(1.72%). The prevalence of mixed infection was 31(36.47%). Chi-square analysis for the risk ~XZ&_), P< 0.05) on the data from the questionnaire. In the ANOVA using F-statistics there was no significant difference (Fey = 2.07 < Frab = 3.89) on water and food sources response. Though there was moderate intestinal helminth infection prevalence however provision of health education, improved personal hygiene, good attitude towards food and drinking water as well as school-based deworming should be the major focus in these schools and their communities.