ABSTRACT

 Human intestinal parasites are important causal agents of gastrointestinal disorders with global public health implication. However, little data about intestinal parasites exist among students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. In a cross‑sectional study, the prevalence and risk factors of human intestinal parasitic infections were evaluated among students in Ugbowo campus, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Fecal samples were aseptically collected from 250 recruited students consisting of 100 males and 150 females aged at least 15 years old. Well-structured questionnaires were administered to the students to collect information on their socio- demographic activities. Fecal samples were examined using formol-ether concentration method. The overall prevalence rate of the various parasitic infections was 26 (10.4%), with 7(7%) prevalence rate of infection among males and 19(2.7%) among the females. From the study, the age group of 16-20 years old have high rate of infection 12(20%) followed by 36-40 years old 2(13.3%). Sex did not significantly affect the pattern of infection (p>0.05) but age affected it significantly (p<0.05). Students with Ascaris lumbricoides recorded the highest prevalence rate of 7(2.8%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica 5(2.0%); Enterobius vermicularis 5(2.0%); Ancylostoma duodenale 4(1.6%); Fasciola species 3(1.2%) and Trichuris trichiura 2(0.8%). The results further support the need for public education on good personal hygiene and regular de-worming of students. Regular mass chemotherapy of students in Ugbowo campus, University of Benin Edo State, Nigeria should be encouraged.