Status of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Primary School Children in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Status of intestinal parasitic infections among primary school children in Rivers State, Nigeria, was investigated between January and December 2011. A total of 3,826 stool samples were collected from school children (1,828 males and 1998 females) in 36 primary schools from 13 local government areas of Rivers State. The samples were analyzed using wet saline/iodine and formol ether concentration methods. Of the 3,826 stool samples examined, 1059 (27.66%) were positive for different intestinal parasites, namely,Ascaris lumbricoides(51.78%), hookworm sp. (25.0%),Trichuris trichiura(15.18%),Strongyloides stercoralis(7.14%),Taeniasp. (0.89%), andEnterobius vermicularis(0.01%). The prevalence of the infection was generally higher in males (57.60%) than females (42.40%). The differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Among these intestinal parasites,Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm sp., andTrichuris trichiurawere found in all the 13 local government areas studied whileStrongyloides stercoraliswas found in 12,Taeniasp. in five, andEnterobius vermicularisin only one community in Ahoada Local Government Area. The overall infection rate remains high and would require coordinated deworming of the school children within the state.