Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites among school children in Ngurore, Yola South LGA., Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Gastrointestinal parasites are those types of intestinal parasites, which infect the lumen and lining tissue of the lumen of the small and large intestines. Around 1.5 billion people suffer from soil-transmitted helminths, above 267 million preschool children, and over 568 million school-age children reside in gastrointestinal helminths prevailing areas. These infections are regarded as serious public health problem, as they cause iron deficiency anemia, growth retardation in children and other physical and mental health problems. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and intensity of Gastrointestinal parasites among school children in Ngurore community, Yola - South LGA. Data for this study was collected from 5 primary schools in Yola South Local Government Area. The result show that Wuro Yanka Primary School had the highest prevalence infection with 58(44.6%), followed by Ngurore Central Primary School 15(9.3%), Alfurqan Academy 9(22.5%), Abaifa International Academy 4(10.0%) and Sharp Brain 3(6.0%) had the least prevalence of infection. Hookworms have the highest prevalence 47 (12.3%) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides 23 (6.0%), Trichuris trichiura 7 (1.8%), Entamoeba coli 6 (1.6%), Giardia lamblia, Stongyloides stercoralis 2 (0.5%) and Enterobius vermicularis 2 (0.5%). Socioeconomic disparities, such as access to good education, clean water and sanitation facilities, may contribute to variations in infection rates among different age groups. Children from lower socioeconomic classes may face greater challenges in accessing clean water, and sanitation, thereby increasing their susceptibility to parasitic infection.