Helminthiasis constitutes a serious health and developmental challenge among children. The present study aimed to determine the influence of anthropometric parameters on the prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis and intestinal helminthiasis in Akpet community, Nigeria between May and October, 2016. Stool and urine samples from 200 children aged 3-15 years were collected and examined using standard parasitological methods to detect the intestinal helminthic parasites and ova of Schistosoma haematobium. A questionnaire was used to collect the anthropometric parameters. Urogenital schistosomiasis was observed in 38(19%), intestinal parasite infections 40(20%) while only 6(3%) subjects were infected both types of parasites. Children aged 6-8 years recorded the highest prevalence rate with urogenital schistosomiasis 12(37%) (P=0.001) and intestinal parasite infections 16(29.6%) (P=0.001). Children with weight 30-39 kg recorded the highest prevalence rate of urogenital schistosomiasis 12(25%) (P=0.001). Children with weight 10-19 kg recorded the highest prevalence rate of intestinal parasite infection 14(35%) (P=0.001). Subjects with height 130-139cm recorded the highest prevalence rate for urogenital schistosomiasis 5(35.7%) (P = 0.001). Subjects with height 130-139cm recorded the highest prevalence rate of intestinal parasites 5(35.7%) (p = 0.001). Subjects with shoulder length 15-20cm recorded the highest prevalence rate for urogenital schistosomiasis 4(100%) (p=0.001) and intestinal parasites 2(50%) (P = 0.001). Males recorded a higher prevalence rate of 20(19.2%) for urogenital schistosomiasis than females 18(18.8%) (P=0.951). Ascaris lumbricoides was the most frequently observed intestinal parasites (40%), followed by Ancylostoma duodenale (25%), Entamoeba histolytica 20% and Taenia species 15%. Age, weight, height and shoulder lengths have influence on both urogenital schistosomiasis and intestinal helminthes infections.
Key words: Akpet community, Anthropometric parameters, Intestinal parasites, School age children, Urogenital schistosomiasis
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