Helminth Infection in School Children of Zing Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria

Geohelminths are soil transmitted parasites which are among the most important groups of infectious agents that cause serious global health problems. The disease is more prevalent among children living in conditions of poor sanitation. A study to determine the status of the disease was carried out. Faecal samples from 420 children were obtained and examined using standard parasitological techniques. The nutritional status of the children was determined using anthropometric measurements of wt/ht2. The overall prevalence of geohelminths and cestodes recorded was 41.90%. Three geohelminths and two cestodes recorded were observed in varying degrees; Ascaris lumbricoides (5.17%), Strongyloides stercoralis (9.04%), Trichuris trichiura (3.57%), Hymenolepis nana (18.80%) and Taenia solium (4.76%). The prevalence rate in males was slightly higher (43.00%) than that of the females (40.85%) but not statistically significant (χ2=0.116, P<0.05). The age bracket 5-7 years gave the highest infection rate (53.5%) while the age bracket 14-16 years assumed the least prevalence of 7.4%. Chi square analysis showed a significant difference in infection among age groups (χ2= 10.40, P<0.05). The mean nutritional status of the pupils seems to increase with increase in age. The body mass index (BMI) of infected children was found to be lower (BMI< 18.5 kg/m2) than those of the uninfected children (BMI>18.5 kg/m2). Pearson correlation coefficient showed a high degree of association between infection and body mass index (r= 0.805). Based on these findings, mass treatment of schoolchildren, health education campaign, improved sanitary conditions, provision of toilet facilities and improved personal hygiene were recommended as control measures.