Prevalence of Human Taeniasis among School Children in some selected Primary Schools in Bosso Local Government Area, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

Abstract

A survey of the prevalence of human Taeniasis was conducted between the months of March to July, 2013 among school children in Bosso Local Government Area, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. Samples were randomly selected from the school pupils and analysed by Formol-ether sedimentation techniques. A total of 21(8.40%) of the samples were positive for Taenia saginata out of 250 samples collected. Infection was higher in males 13(10.40%) than females 8(6.40%). There was no significant difference (P> 0.05) in the infection rate of Taeniasis based on sex. Children in age group, 10-14 years i.e. 13(10.40%) of the samples had a higher infection rate than those of 5-9 years old 8(6.40%). It was observed that poor sanitation, poverty, eating of raw or undercooked beef and presence of scavenging pigs or cattle were obvious predisposing factors to high prevalence of human Taeniasis in the area