Prevalence and Pattern of Soil-Transmitted Helminthic Infection among Primary School Children in a Rural Community in Imo State,Nigeria

Background. soil-transmitted helminthic infection is a common public health challenge of primary school children in resource challenged and developing countries. our aim was to determine the prevalence and pattern of soil-transmitted helminthic infection among primary school children in a rural community in imo state,nigeria. method. the study involved a cross-sectional survey of 284 primary school children in a rural community. results. the overall prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic infection (sthi) was 30.3%. of all sthis,hookworm was the commonest geohelminth observed,81 (94.2%). the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic infection was more in males,58 (38.4%),than in females,28 (21.1%). this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.001). conclusion. the high prevalence rate of soil-transmitted helminthic infection amongst the study population is worrisome. there is need for organized and routine deworming among school children in the community. © 2015 kelechi kenneth odinaka et al.