Prevalence and Intensity of Intestinal Helminth Infections and Associated Risk Factors among School-Aged Children in Abua/Odual Local Government Area, Rivers State

Abstract

A study was carried out to determine the prevalence and intensity of intestinal parasite infections and its associated risk factors among school-aged children in Abua/Odual Local Government Area, Rivers State between May-August 2015. Standard parasitological procedures as recommended by World Health Organization were employed in sample collection and examination. Out of a total of 434 stool samples examined, 306 (70.51%) were infected with a mean intensity of 571.38±131.25 epg. The males showed a higher prevalence of intestinal parasite infections (72.03%) than the females (68.69). However, this is not statistically significant (p>0.05). Age distribution of the prevalence of infection did not show a definite pattern, but infection rate was highest among the students aged 5-8 years (75.19%) and least among the students aged 13 years and above (60.5%) with a mean intensity of  340 ± 160.96 epg. This observed difference in prevalence by age was not statistically significant (p>0.05). T. trichiura was the most prevalent parasite amongst the student (52.30%) while A. lumbricoides showed the least prevalence (19.81%). Children whose parents were motorcyclist rider had highest infection rate (79.4%) while children whose parents were civil servants showed least prevalence (47.1%) and intensity 453.51±137.41 epg. The study also revealed that students who defecate in nearby bushes and backyards had the highest prevalence (79.83%) followed by those that use pit latrine The present investigation has shown that intestinal helminthiasis remains a public health problem in Nigeria. Regular environmental sanitation and health education to encourage school-aged children to adopt behavioural change are advocated.