Prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminth Infections among School Children in Umunze, Orumba South LGA, Anambra State

The research work was carried out to determine the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections (STHs) among school children in Umunze community, Orumba South local government area, Anambra state, Nigeria between June and August, 2023. Informed consent was obtained from the appropriate authorities and fresh stool specimens were collected and examined parasitologically using direct smear technique, formol ether concentration technique for soil-transmitted health parasites using 10x and 40x objective lens. The overall prevalence of STHs was 30.0%. Ascaris lumbricoides recorded the highest prevalence of 15.50%, followed by Hookworm, 6.50%; Trichuris trichiura 6.00%, and then Strongyloides stercoralis 2.00%. The schools did not differ significantly in the rate of infection (P>0.05). Males, 30.34%, though more infected than the females, 29.73 % in their rate of infection (P>0.05). The age groups did not differ significantly in the rate of infection (P>0.05). A simple questionnaire was used to identify risk factors for STH infections within the study population. Pupils who defecate in the open had the highest prevalence of 30.38%. Pupils whose parents were farmers had the highest prevalence (38.30%). Responses gathered on some hygiene practices showed that there was significant difference in prevalence between those that maintain good hygiene and those that indulge in unhygienic practices such as habit of not washing hands before eating and after visiting the toilet (P<0.05). Based on these results, intervention by way of regular school-based deworming exercise, adequate health education on proper hygiene practices, provision of adequate and potable water supply are highly recommended.