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.

There is a deficit of published data on the prevalence and intensity of intestinal parasitic infections in Osogbo metropolis, although there exist some reports for few of the local government areas of Osun state. Post primary school students are at high risk of acquiring gastrointestinal parasitic infections in Osogbo metropolis. A total of one hundred and fifty fecal samples were examined microscopically from post primary school students aged 9-18. Direct microscopic examination, centrifugation floatation and sedimentation techniques were used to examine fecal samples while Kato-katz technique was used to determine the intensity of infection. Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stacoralis and Hookworm were the most common intestinal helminths recovered. A. lumbricoides formed the bulk of the infections with prevalence rate of 124 (91.9%) followed by S. stacoralis 8 (6.0%) and Hookworm, 3 (2.2%). Specific factors related to the environments that were examined included water source, toilet or latrine use and refuse disposal Multiple infection of two-three parasite combinations were common, A. lumbricoides-Hookworm combination being the most common. Analysis of the data on the basis of sex revealed a significant difference (P<0.05) in the overall incidence of infections between male (75.6%) and female (84.8%). The maximum infection was observed in younger age groups compared to adults (P<0.05). Infections were greater among households drinking water from stream followed by well water and those using pit/open field for toilets. This report recommends that good drinking water coupled with adequate toilet facility and deworming programs be integrated in private and public schools as well as promotion of healthier diets as most effective tools in controlling helminthes infection among school children.