www.ejbps.com 426 Obeagu et al. European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences ASPECTS OF SANITATION AND INTESTINAL HELMINTH INFECTION IN CHILDREN IN ABA, ABIA STATE, NIGERIA Nwosu,D.C 1 ., Nwanjo,H.U. 1 , Opara,A.U. 1 , Obeagu, Emmauel Ifeanyi 2 , Ugwu Getrudee Uzoma 3 , Ezeama,M.C. 4 , Okpara,K.E. 5 , Kanu,Stella Ngozika 6 , Ojiegbe G.C. 1 , Onuoha C.I. 1 , Ajero C.M.U. 7 and Nwokike G.I. 8 1 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. 2 Diagnostic Laboratory Unit, University Health Services, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. 3 School of Nursing Science, ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu 4,8 Department of Nursing Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. 5 Director, School of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State College of Health Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 6 Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. 7 Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria. Article Received on 23/12/2014 Article Revised on 18/01/2015 Article Accepted on 11/02/2015 ABSTRACT A Cross-sectional epidemiological survey was carried out in Aba between January and August 2003 on the prevalence of intestinal helminth infection in children with respect to the sanitation status of the town. Out of a total of 984 school children comprising 432 males and 552 females aged between 4 and 15 years studied, 396(40.2%) were infected, Ascaris lumbricoides (52.5%), Hookworm (25.8%), Trichuris trichiuria (19.4%), and strongyloides stercolaris (2.3%) were the most prevalent helminthes encountered. Infection prevalence varied significantly with respect to sewage disposal system, source of drinking water, nearness of living quarters to uncleared refuse dump and age (P<0.05). Even though more females (41.3%) than males (38.9%) were infected, there was no statistical difference in infection prevalence among the sexes (P>0.05). The need to provide safe drinking water, adequate sewage disposal system and a clean living environment as the best approach towards effective control of helminth infection in the area is emphasized. KEYWORDS: Prevalence, Sanitation, helminths. Eur opEa n Jour na l of BiomEdical A ND Pha r maceut ical sciences http://www.ejbps.com ISSN 2349-8870 Volume: 2 Issue: 1 426-433 Year: 2015 Research Article ejbps, 2015, Volume 2, Issue 1, 426-433. *Correspondence for Author Obeagu, Emmauel Ifeanyi Diagnostic Laboratory Unit, University Health Services, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria. Phone: +2348037369912