Epidemiological Study of Intestinal Parasites in School Children in Vandeikya LGA, Benue State, Nigeria

A study was conducted to determine the epidemiology of intestinal parasites in school children in Vandeikya LGA, Benue State, Nigeria. Two hundred and ninety three (293) stool samples from school children were examined in selected schools across the Local Government Area. 22 of 293 children were infected with parasites which include: Ascaris lumbricoides, Entamoeba histolytica, Hookworm, Strongyloides stercularis and Taenia spp. Hookworm had the highest prevalence rate of 9(3.1%), Entamoeba histolytica 7(2.3%), Taenia spp had 3(1.0%), Strongyloide stercolaris had 2(0.7%) while Ascaris lumbricoides recorded the least prevalence rate of 1(0.3%). For mixed infections, Entamoeba histolytica and Ascaris lumbricoides recorded the highest prevalence of 5(1.7%); Entamoeba histolytica, Hookworm and Strongyloides stercolaris recorded prevalence of 2(0.7%); and Entamoeba histolytica, Ascaris lumbricoides and Hookworm recorded prevalence of 2(0.7%); there was however, no significant difference (P>0.05) in prevalence of mixed infections. For prevalence based on age, there was significant difference (P<0.05) between the age groups, x2 calculated (10.117), x2 tabulated (4.891), df = 2. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the infection rate based on sex, x2 calculated (3.245), x2 tabulated (5.991), df = 2. Intestinal parasites are prevalent in Vandeikya LGA, Benue State. Risk factors like open defecation, use of stream and well water should be minimized in order to prevent infection.