Prevalence of intestinal helminthic infections among secondary school students in Edo State, Nigeria

1Anagha, L. I., 2Inegbenosun, C. U., and *3Inegbenosun, H.

1Department of Animal Enivronmental Biology, University of Benin,Benin City, Nigeria

2Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

3Department of Periodontics, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

*Correspondence to: inegbenosun190@gmail.com

Abstract:

Background: Intestinal helminthic infections are generally common in children accounting for the largest disability adjusted life years (DALYs) of all the parasitic agents. In this study, we determined the prevalence of intestinal helminthic infections among secondary school students in a semi-urban community in Edo State, Nigeria.

Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study of 489 students from four secondary schools in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria was conducted between December 2018 and July 2019. The schools were selected by stratified random sampling and all eligible students in each school were enrolled. Stool samples were collected from each student into sterile universal bottle and direct wet mount as well as formol-ether concentrated samples were examined under compound light microscope at the Animal and Environmental Biology Laboratory of the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. Structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on socio-demographic and potential risk factors for helminthic infection. Data were analysed with SPSS version 22.0 and associations between variables compared using Chi square or Fischer exact test, with p<0.05 as significant value. Continue reading “Prevalence of intestinal helminthic infections among secondary school students in Edo State, Nigeria”