PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL HELMINTHES IN STUDENTS OF IHIALA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE

The status of human intestinal helminthiasis was studied in primary school pupils, secondary schools as well as university students in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State between November 2006 and October 2007.Consent was obtained from the local government health authorities, from the heads of the various schools used as well as consents from the older students involved in the study before it commenced fully. Data was collected in the form of stool samples as well as personal questions on per-tested questionnaires. The samples were prepared and examined using the formal-ether concentration method. A total of 1, 913 stool samples were collected and examined. Results obtained showed 948 (49.5%) studied participants to be infected with one or more parasites with the following prevalence rates: Necator americanus 85(4.4%), Ancylostoma duodanales 85(4.4%), Enterobius vermincularis 151 (7.9%), Ascaris Iumbricoides 353(37.2%), Trichuris trichura 143(2.6%) and Schistosoma mansoni 31 (1.6 %). The prevalence of intestinal helminth was significantly higher in females than males especially in the school age groups (p <0.05). Control measures could include; regular environmental sanitation health education, good identification and treatment of infected individuals.