Abstract:
Intestinal parasitic infections have always been an important public health problem in the tropics particularly in developing countries. A cross-sectional survey involving 200 school going children of both sex aged 5-19 years was conducted in 3 secondary and 1 primary schools at different locations in Uzo-uwani Local Govern Area (L.G.A) of Enugu State, Nigeria, between May and July, 2016, to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites. Among the 200 samples examined 105 (52.5%) were infected with different intestinal parasites. The parasites found were Hookworm, A. lumbricoides, T. trichuria, E. histolytic and G.lamblia with prevalence of 28(14.0%), 28(14.0%), 23(11.5%), 21(10.5%), and 17(8.5%) respectively. Hookworm and A. lumbricoides had highest prevalence 28(14.0%) while G. lambla had lowest 17(8.5%). Premier Primary School, Ukpabi-Nibo had highest prevalence 29(58.0%) and Welfare Secondary School, Opanda had lowest 24(48.0%). Result showed that there is a direct link between ones’ hygiene and prevalence. The prevalence of intestinal parasites in relation to sex showed no significant difference (p<0.05) as they have equal exposure. Also the prevalence in relation to age group was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). However there was slight decline in prevalence as the age increased.
