Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites among Secondary School Students in Nanka Orumba North L.G.A, Anambra State

Intestinal parasites infections are among the most prevalent infections in developing countries carrying high burden of morbidity and mortality especially among young people living in the tropical and subtropical regions with poor sanitation and substandard living conditions. This study was to determine the prevalence of the intestinal parasites based on the locality, age, sex and risk factors among secondary school students in Nanka, Anambra state Nigeria. Fresh faecal specimens were examined using direct saline and iodine and formal-ether techniques to detect the presence of intestinal parasites. The data obtained were analysed using SPSS version 25. Of the 454 faecal specimens examined, (n=66; 14.5%) were positive with Ascaris lumbricoides (n=29; 43.94%) being the predominant species, followed by hookworm (n=19; 28.79%) while cysts of E. histolytica (n=18; 27.27%) was the least. The younger age group, 9-11 years (n=23; 19.0%) had the highest infection. Males (n=30; 15.2%) were more infected than the females (n=36; 14.1%), although the result was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The risk factors including parents’ occupation, sources of drinking water in schools and homes as well as toilet facilities used by students at home were assessed which indicated that students who use stream (n=30; 19.1%), defaecate in the bush (n=6; 37.5%) and whose parents are farmers (n=33; 16.3%) were infected more than their counterparts. Most of these worms found in this area can cause impaired nutrition, stunted growth, school absenteeism and loss of blood on the children. Students need to be enlightened on important preventive measures such as proper hygiene and sanitation, also there is a need to include the secondary school students in the deworming exercise.