EPIDEMIOLOGY AND DIAGNOSIS OF SOIL-TRAMITTED HELMINTHS AMONG SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN FROM SELECTED SCHOOLS IN KEFFI, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

The public health and socio-economic consequences of soli-transmitted helminthes (STH) are of immense concern in the rural communities of developing countries. A total Two hundred (200) fresh stools samples of primary school pupils in the selected school were collected and examined for Soil Transmitted Helminths using standard parasitological techniques. Out of the 2100 samples examined, 18 (18) had Soil Transmitted Helminths accounting for an overall prevalence of 9.0%. The prevalence of Soil Transmitted Health with respect to Schools showed that Yelwa II Primary School had the highest prevalence with 12.5%, followed by Nuruddeen and Abdu-Zanga Primary Schools with 10.0%, (P>0.05). this research also showed that the prevalence of Soil Transmitted Health with respect to sex showed that 5.5% of males and 3.5% of females had 3.5% (P>0.05). The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths with respect to parent occupation showed that pupils whose parent were farmers had the highest prevalence rate of 9 (13.8%), followed by traders with a prevalence rate of 10.0% (P>0.05). The prevalence of STH with respect to parental educational status showed that pupils whose parent attended primary school had the highest prevalence rate of 8 (9.0%), followed by pupils whose parent attended secondary school with a prevalence rate of 6 (8.0%) (P>0.05). Parent and school authorities should maintain adequate personal hygiene through handwashing habits in school and at home