Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Primary School Children in Enugu State: Implications for School Health Policy

Soil-transmitted helminthiases and intestinal protozoan infections pose a persistent public health challenge among school-age children in Southeast Nigeria. This descriptive cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence and pattern of intestinal parasitic infections among primary school pupils in Enugu State. A total of 280 stool samples were collected from children aged 5 to 14 years across four randomly selected public primary schools. Samples were processed using the formal-ether concentration method and direct wet preparation. The Kato-Katz thick smear technique was employed for helminth egg counts. Findings revealed an overall prevalence of 53.6 percent, with Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and Entamoeba histolytica as the most frequently identified parasites. Infection intensity correlated significantly with open defecation practices and absence of potable water in affected households. Children with confirmed polyparasitism showed notably lower teacher-assessed classroom attentiveness scores. These findings underscore the importance of integrating deworming programmes with water, sanitation, and hygiene education into school health policies across Enugu State. The study recommends quarterly mass drug administration campaigns coordinated with the state ministries of health and education to achieve sustainable reductions in infection burden. Keywords: soil-transmitted helminths, intestinal parasites, primary school children, Enugu State, school health.