THE PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN CHILDREN OF SCHOOL AGE IN ORODO MBAITOLI L.G.A IN 1MO STATE, NIGERIA.
Nwosu,D.C.,Nwanjo,H.U.,Opara,A.U.,Ojiegbe,G.C., Obeagu,Emmanuel Ifeanyi, Onuoha,C., Ajero,C.M.U., Nwokike,G.I.,Okpara,K.E. and Ugwu Getrude Uzoma
ABSTRACT
A study on the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was conducted in
three primary schools in Orodo, Mbaitoli L.G.A., Imo State from November
2007 to January 2008. Two hundred stool samples were collected from
pupils aged 5-16 years into wide-mouthed specimen bottles and examined
by direct wet smear .and the formol ether concentration method
respectively. Six different gastrointestinal parasites were encountered. The
respective infection rates of each parasite were: Hookworm (16%), Ascaris
lumbricoides (12%), E. histolytica (10%), Trichuris trichuria (1.5%), E. coli (0.5%), and
Strongyloides stercoraHs (0.5%). Cases of multiple infection showed that Ascaris lumbricoides
occurred frequently in double infection with E. histolytica. In triple infection, only triad Ascaris
lumbricoides, hookworm, and E. histolytica was found. The males were more infected (41.0) than
the female (39.8). The infection was high among those who use pit latrine and bush defecation (60.5
and 27.2) when compared to those who use water cistern (12.4). The relationship between age and
the infection rate showed that 8-10 groups had more infection rate although there was wide spread of
the disease in the community. The findings from the study reveal that there is high prevalence of
gastrointestinal parasites of 60.5% and the likely possible ways of reducing these parasites were discussed.
Keywords: Gastrointestinal parasites, school age children, Ascaris lumbricoides.
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