Malaria and Intestinal Parasites among Children in Muslim Schools, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Introduction: Malaria and intestinal helminthes infections are major public health problem in low and middle-income countries affecting over 2 million people across the globe.

Objectives: This survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of malaria and intestinal parasites among Muslim school children in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Methodology: Four Muslim schools: kab model school Rumuagolu, Manbaul hikma Eliozu, An-nur school Rumuodomaya and Al-ameen school Eneka. One hundred and fifty (150) blood and stool samples were collected randomly from the pupils (70 males and 80 female; age range 5-12 years) and examined between the Months of May to July 2018.

Results: The overall prevalence of 50.7%, and 43.3% was recorded for malaria and intestinal helminthes respectively. The prevalence for malaria was 32.5%, 63.0%, 58.0% and 50.0%. Intestinal helminthes was 30%, 53.3%, 42.0% and 53.0% for kab, Manbaul hikma, An-nur and Al-ameen Schools respectively. The frequency of parasites encountered was as follows, Strongyloides stercoralis 8.7%, Ascaris lumbricoides 14.0%, Enterobious vermicularis 1.3%, Necator americanus 5.3%, Ancylostoma duodenale 4.7%, and Trichuris trichuria 9.3%. Malaria and intestinal helminthes infection was highest in females with 51.2% and 45.0% respectively. Pupils between ages 9-10 had the highest infection rate of (54.0%) for malaria while ages 7-8 had the highest prevalence of 47.7% for intestinal helminthes. Co-infection was 22.0%, 23.0%, 22.0% and 32.0% for kab, Manbaul hikma, An-nur and Al-ameen Schools Respectively.

Conclusions: The overall infection for malaria and intestinal helminthes was high. Therefore, regular de-worming of the pupils by parents, and health education are necessary to keep the prevalence in check. This study may also be used to predict risk for communities under consideration.