Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites among School Children Attending Two Community Schools in Auta Balefi, Karu, Nasarawa State

Aim: To determining the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth parasites among school children attending two community schools in Auta-balefi, Karu. Nasarawa State.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted between July and August, 2019 in two community schools in Auta-balefi, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

Methodology: Microscopic examination of faecal sample from 288 pupils (143 males and 145 females) from ages 5 years and above was carried out using formol-ether concentration technique. Questionnaires were also administered and only pupils whose parents gave their consents were enrolled in the study.

Results: This study recorded an overall prevalence of 45.1% gastrointestinal helminth infection. The study however, identified the following parasites in descending order: hookworm (30.76%), Ascaris lumbricoides (25.4%), Schistosoma mansoni (17.7%), Strongyloides stercoralis (13.8%), Proglottids of tapeworm (10.78%), Fasciola hepatica (1.5%). Males (51.0%) were more infected as well as children between the ages 11-15 years with (48.3%). Risk factors such as: The educational status and occupation (higher education and unskilled job) of the parents, use of water closet and use of well water and contact with soil were found to contribute to the prevalence of intestinal helminths infection in the study. This is because of the significant association of present of parasites and the prevalence of the parasites (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths parasite at the end of the study was (45.1%) which is considered to be high compare to previous study carried on the related subject matter and also certain risk factors were considered to be the reason for such high observation. The prevalence in this study is one to be worried about considering the harm these parasites has on the health and livelihood of children who need to be healthy to carry out their everyday functions.