A cross sectional study of intestinal helminthiasis among school pupils was undertaken in three primary schools
in Ilie in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun state in order to determine the prevalence and intensity of
helminthic infections. The relationship between intestinal helminths and anthropometric indices and the factors
that could favour the infection were also studied. Faecal samples from three hundred and four (304) randomly
selected out of the four hundred and seven (407) school children in the study area were collected and analysed
with the semi-quantitative Kato Katz technique and concentrated method. The intensity of infection was
classified into light, moderate or high according to World Health Organisation (WHO) thresholds. The overall
prevalence rate was 52.0% while five species of intestinal helminths were identified. Ascaris lumbricoides
(36.2%) was the most common, followed by Hookworm (10.5%), Schistosoma mansoni (4%), Strongyloides
stercoralis (0.7%) and Hymenolepis nana (0.7%). Multiple helminthic infection were recorded with Ascaris –
Hookworm (6.58%) having the highest prevalence among the children. Female (56.6%) were more infected than
male (46.4%) and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.0019). Seventeen percent (17%) of the
children were below the third percentile for weight (wasted) while fourteen percent (14%) were below the
third percentile for height (stunted). There was a relationship between intensity of infection and wasting since
there were fewer underweight pupils (13%) with normal stool than those moderately infected (35%) (P<0.05).
There was statistically significant association between type of latrine use and prevalence of infection; and also
between water treatment and infection. Periodic surveillance of school children for intestinal helminthiasis
should be part of the public health activities while periodic deworming programme should be done routinely as
this would reduce intensity of intestinal worm infection among school children.