Helminth parasitic diseases status of school children within the Anambra River Basin irrigation project area


The incidence of the parasitic disease, especially infection with helminths, among school children within Anambra River Basin Irrigation Project Area in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State is reported. A cross section survey revealed the prevalence of hookworms, ascariasis, trichuriasis, trichuriasis, enterobiasis and taeniasis in school children. Analysis of the prevalence data showed that Ascaris lumbricoids (24%) is the dominant helminth parsite in the area while Taenia infection (6.7%) is the least prevalent helminth infection. Symptoms of many other parasitic diseases abound in the form of skin nodules (Onchocerciasis), itching, rashes, abdominal problems and elephantiasis. Age of children affected the level of prevalence of the parasitic diseases e.g. younger children were more infected that the older children in many cases (except hookworm disease and filariasis). Poor sanitary conditions emanating from poor sewage disposal facilitates, poor potable water supply, full participation in irrigated rice farming and poor housing are factors affecting the parasitic disease status of the school children and possibly the whole communities. Bio-Research Vol. 3(1) 2005: 93-98

 GC Onyishi, FC Okafor

 

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