PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS AND THE ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN IN DEVELOPMENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, OWERRI.

ABSTRACT A study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and to identify the associated risk factors among school-age children in Development Primary School, Owerri. 300 stool samples were collected from the students and analyzed using formol-ether concentration techniques. The results indicate that 46.7% of the school-age children surveyed were infected with one or more intestinal parasites. The most prevalent parasite was Ascaris lumbricoides (13.3%), followed by Trichuiris trichiura (11%), and Hookworm (8.3%). The study found that children aged 5-7 years had the highest infection rate (20.3%), followed by those aged 8-11 years (18.3%). Children in the youngest age group (11-14 years) had the lowest infection rate (8.0%). The gender distribution shows that males were more frequently infected (28.7%) than females (18%). Among infected children, 14.3% reported poor handwashing practices, 4.7% engaged in open defecation, and 6.0% lacked access to clean water. Although 60% of the respondents had knowledge of parasitic infections, only 30% reported washing their hands regularly after defecation, and 40% used soap for handwashing. The study also found that only 50% of children were aware of deworming programs, indicating a gap in health education. The urgent need for improved sanitation and hygiene practices. There is also a need for greater awareness of deworming programs and the importance of regular handwashing with soap.