PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL HELMINTHES AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN BOSSO, NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigated the prevalence of intestinal helminthes among primary school children of Bosso Town, North Central Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Fecal samples from 250 pupils were examined microscopically using formol ether concentration technique. Result: Out of the total 250 samples analyzed, 115 (46%) were found to be infected. The breakdown of the prevalence of helminthes infection showed that Ascaris lumbricoides had 41(16.4%) followed by Strongyloides stercoralis 36(14.4%) as well as Hookworm 22(0.09%), and Trichuris trichuria 16(0.07%). Single species infection was seen in 78(67.8%) of the infected children while 47(40.9%) had mixed infections. The prevalence of infection peaked in the age group (9-10) years in both male (53.5%) and female (46.3%) respectively. Conclusion: The high prevalence recorded was found to be related to poverty, ignorance and poor environmental sanitation.