INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG UNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS, IN ORAIFITE, EKWUSIGO L.G.A., ANAMBRA STATE, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA.

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites among pupils in Unity primary school in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria. Of the 462 surveyed pupils, 47.6% had parasitic infection. Seven intestinal parasites were isolated; Ascaris lumbricoides (12.8%), Hookworm (7.6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (4.8%), Trichuris trichiura (1.9%), Entamoeba histolytica (11.0%), Entamoeba coli (6.7%), Giardia lamblia (2.8%). Prevalence rate was higher among (p > 0.5) males than females though not statistically significance. Pupils in the age-group 10-14 years had the highest prevalence value (61.4%) while those in age-group 5-9 years had the lowest prevalence value (24.1%). Infection was higher among those whose parents were farmers and traders than those of civil servants. Prevalence was also higher among nursery school pupils. Health education, sanitation and mass chemotherapy should be encouraged in order to control intestinal parasitic disease in the school.

BY OKOLO, KASIE VITUS, A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PARASITOLOGY AND ENTOMOLOGY, NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA, IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE (M.Sc.) IN PUBLIC HEALTH PARASITOLOGY.