The prevalence of gastro-intestinal tract parasites in primary school children in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study on the prevalence of gastro-intestinal tract parasites was conduced in three primary schools in Umudike, Ikwuano local government area, Abia State. 300 stool samples from pupils' ages 5-16 years were examined. The following parasites were isolated, namely Hookworms (53.3%), Ascaris lumbricoides (36.7%), Trichuris trichiura (2.3%) Entamoeba histolytica (11.7%), Entamoeba coli (0.3%) and Giardia lamblia (1.7%). Multiple parasitism were also encountered. The age groups 5-7, 8-10 and 11-13 years recorded high prevalence rate of 54.7%, 54.3% and 57.8% respectively for hookworms and 40.0%, 39.0% and 35.6% respectively for Ascaris lumbricoides . Infection was greater among pupils who used pi latrine and water closet (WC). The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 24 2003: 129-136