STATUS OF INTESTINAL HELMINTH INFECTIONS IN PUPILS AT ENUGU, SOUTH EAST NIGERIA
Keyword : Intestinal helminth infections, prevalence, pupils, Enugu
Author(s) : Okechukwu, P.C., Iwueze, M.O. And Uzochukwu, C.U.
Abstract : Intestinal helminth infections in endemic communities are of public health importance. A study was done to determine the prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminth infections among pupils in Enugu East and Awgu Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Enugu State, South East Nigeria. Stool samples from 2411 randomly selected pupils were examined for intestinal helminth parasites by direct smear and Kato Katz techniques. Morphological identification of observed parasite eggs and larvae was by microscopy. Collated data were subjected to descriptive statistics using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 23. Infection prevalence was taken as percentage of infected while intensity of infection was in eggs per gram (epg) of faeces. Of the 2411 pupils examined, 333(13.8%) were positive for various intestinal helminth eggs and larvae namely, Ascaris lumbricoides 281(11.7%) which recorded highest prevalence followed by Hookworm 27(1.1%), Trichuris trichiura 16(0.7%), Strongyloides stercoralis 6(0.2%) and Schistosoma mansoni 3(0.1%). Only four pupils (1.2%) had mixed infection with A. lumbricoides and hookworms. In Enugu East LGA 238 pupils (14.8%) were infected while Awgu LGA recorded 95(11.9%). Males 285(16.0%) were more infected than females 148(11.8%) (P<0.05). Prevalence was highest 69(19.8%) in pupils between the age group of 5–7 years. Eggs of A. lumbricoides recorded highest intensity of 64.65±36.56 epg of faeces while S. stercoralis and S. mansoni had least intensity of 24.00±0.00 epg of faeces each. Pupils within age group of 8–10 years recorded highest intensity of 73.14±40.81epg of faeces for A. lumbricoides. Since intestinal helminth infections pose serious public health concern, especially in children, State government and other stakeholders should endeavour to provide adequate infrastructures that will help reduce parasitic infections in the study area.