ABSTRACT
A project research study on the level of ascariasis in children between 4-15 years of age were carried out in the Schools I, II, III & IV in Ziks Avenue Primary School, Uwani Enugu, Enugu State. A total of 110 feacal samples was collected from the pupils randomly, and microscopically examined using iodine normal saline wet preparation and saturated sodium chloride floatation technique. Infection rate of ascariasis at the time of study (January, 2013) was drastically low in accordance with the result of the research. Prevalence rate was zero percent. This result is associated wit the time of study, lack of use of untreated human feaces as fertilizers in the study area, (low agricultural practice), average level of environmental sanitation in the area, adequate personal hygiene by the parents of the pupils, the teachers and the pupils themselves, educational level and the standard of living of the people residing in the area studied.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Ascariasis is a disease caused by the parasite Ascaris Lumbricoides. This parasite is a giant intestinal nematode (round worm) Ascariasis is common world wide especially in tropics and sub tropical areas. This disease is prevalent in the areas where sanitation is minimal and untreated human feaces are used as fertilizer.
(Sangllass et al 2008) Ascaris suum is another species but infects only pigs and humans while A. lumbricoides infects human only. Although ascariasis occours at all ages, it is common mostly in children between the age of 2-15 years old and prevalence decreases over the age of 15 years.
1.1 Background Information
Prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides
Ascariasis is an infection of the small intestine caused by Ascaris lumbricoides. It is one of the most prevalent intestinal helminthes, estimated to infect 1.5 billion humans (Mangiavillano, 2009) and cause approximately 60,000 deaths per year worldwide (WHO, 2001). Majority of these infections occur in developing regions of Southeast Asia, Central America, and sub-Saharan Africa (Berger, 2006). Ascariasis is associated with substantial acute and chronic morbidity, particularly among children, in whom the highest intensities of infection are found(Hall, 2008). Populations that are at high risk of morbidity include pre- school children aged one to five years (Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay, 2008; Kirwan et al., 2009; Ogunkanbi and Sowemimo, 2014) and school children (Kirwan et al., 2009). Routine mass drug administration (MDA), the major tool used to control Ascariasis burden, has undergone expansion and received increasing guidance from WHO over the past decade(WHO, 2006). However, key issues in mass drug administration policy remain unsettled. One such issue deals with the most appropriate target groups for routine deworming. Several demographic groups are considered eligible, including pre-school age children and school-age children. However, School age children are the focus of WHO‟s most recent guidelines (WHO, 2011) and the Nigerian national programs also targets the School age children. This is due in part to the logistical advantages of school-based treatment, and in part to a perception of greater benefit connected with deworming in School Age Children (WHO, 2011.)