Prevalence of intestinal helminths infections among school children in Igbo-Eze South Local
Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria were stud ed between July and December 2005 Significant
differences (P < 0.05) were recorded among the 1,296 school chi dren (ages 4 – 15) randomly
sampled and examined for intestina helminthes. The prevalence of intestinal helminths varied
significantly among schools sampled (P < 0.05). Central Schoo , Ovoko had the highest percent
prevalence for Ascaris lumbricoides (9.3 %), hookworm (6.0 %) and Trichuris trichiura (2.3 %).
The least per cent prevalence of A. lumbricoides was recorded in Community Primary School,
Iheakpu-Awka (2.3 %), while the least per cent prevalence of hookworm occurred in Community
Primary School 3 Itchi. T. trichiura was not recorded in community primary schools in Itchi, Unadu
and Iheakpu-Awka. Similarly, the prevalence of these parasitic helminths varied signi icantly
among the age groups (P < 0 05), with age groups 4 – 6 highly infected w th A. lumbricoides (7.0
%), 13 – 15 w h hookworm (3.7 %) and 7 – 9 w th T. tr chiura (1.2 %). T. tr chiura was absent in
stool samp es of 4 – 6 and 13 – 15 age groups. The prevalence of these intestinal parasites also
varied significantly between the sexes with fema es having comparatively more A. lumbricoides
(5.4 %), hookworm (3.2 %) and T. trichiura (0.8 %) than males. Our study indicated that intestinal
helminthiasis was prevalent in the area, and as such, control measures such as chemo herapy,
provision o adequate sanitary facil ties and potable drinking water, improved personal hygiene and
health educa ion should be the focus of non-governmental and governmental health institutions in
Nigeria.