Prevalence and associated risk factors of gastrointestinal parasitic infection among primary school children in Kazaure Local Government Area, Jigawa State, Nigeria
Mubarak, S.1, Eberemu, N. C.2* and Auta, T.2
Intestinal parasitic infection in school-aged children is a major public health concern in developing countries, especially those in rural areas. The study determined the prevalence and risk factors of gastrointestinal parasitic infections among primary school children in Kazaure, Jigawa State. The study sampled a total of 501 pupils aged 6 to 14 years. Stool samples were collected and transported to the laboratory for analyses. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites among primary school children was 32.3% and most study participants were affected by single intestinal parasites predominantly ova of hookworm, followed by Ascaris lumbricoides and Hymenolepis nana, the most prevalent multiple parasites are Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm. There was a significant relationship between gastrointestinal parasitic infections among primary school students of the Kazaure and the pupils age group, class, and water source (p<0.05). However, no significant relationship between gastrointestinal parasitic infections among the children and the gender, class, tribe and parents’ income (p>0.05). Based on the findings of this study, it may be concluded that age, class, and water source are significant predictors of gastrointestinal parasitic infections among primary school children in the Kazaure. Public health measures should continue to emphasize the importance of environmental and personal hygiene.