Prevalence of Ascariasis among Primary School Pupils in Two Communities of Kebbi State, Nigeria
M. M. Galamaji *
Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Life Science, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Nigeria.
D. D. Attah
Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Life Science, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study was carried out to determine the incidence of Ascariasis among primary school pupils in Jega and Maiyama of Kebbi state, Nigeria. Four hundred (400) stool samples were examined for Ascaris infections using formal-ether concentration techniques. The result of this study revealed 11.75% prevalence of the parasite. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the prevalence of Ascariasis among pupils examined from various schools. Statistical analysis shows that the prevalence of the infection was associated with community (O.R = 1.55) and gender (O.R = 1.72). The result also show that the infection increase with increase in age of the pupils. Improved sanitation, personal hygiene, deliberate policy for regular deworming of school children by the government will decrease the rate of ascariasis.
Keywords: Ascariasis, prevalence, pupils, Kebbi State, Nigeria