Prevalence of Intestinal Parasite Among High School Students in Nigeria

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites among students of post primary institutions in two contrasting community in Imo State between March and September 2000. Stool sample were collected from 500 students (250 Urban and 250 Rural). Of the 500 male and female students between the ages of 10 and 26 years examined, 215(43.0%) were found to be infected, using the formal ether concentration method. Four nematodes, Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis, Trichuris trichura, Hookworm, two cestodes and trematode were encountered during the study. More students in the rural school were infected (46.0%) than in the urban school (40.0%). The difference in infection rates in the two schools was statistically significant (chi-square(x2) =1.000, p>0.05). The most prevalent parasitic helminthes were hookworms (16.0%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (13.4%). Generally, female were more infected 161(53.5%) than males 54(27.1%). The prevalence rates between females and the males were statistically significant at, p>0.05. The prevalence of parasitic helminthes in relation to age, toilet hygiene level and parental occupation were also assessed. Results obtained showed that more students from the rural school were infected while their parental occupation affected the level of prevalence. It was recommended that school based de-worming using albendazole and metronidazole, combined with hygiene promotion and improved sanitation be carried out. Further investigations are needed to determine whether helminthes represents a public health problem.