PREVALENCE, RISK FACTORS AND EFFECTS OF INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN S PERFORMANCE ATTENDING THE GOVERNMENT PRACTICING NURSERY AND PRIMARY SCHOOL BAMENDA

Dr Lukong Hubert Shalanyuy*, Chitu Carine Nyachab, Dr Tanlaka Lucas Mengnjo, Wam Elvis Chongsi, Ching Nelson Tsoine and Dine Mariclaire Leinyuy

ABSTRACT

Background:
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) continue to pose a major public health challenge, particularly
among school aged children in developing countries where inadequate sanitation, poor hygiene practices, and
limited access to clean water pr evail. This study assessed the prevalence, risk factors, and effects of IPIs on the
academic performance of children attending Government Practicing Nursery and Primary School in Bamenda,
Cameroon. Methods: A cross sectional design was employed, involving the collection and microscopic analysis of
stool samples from 65 pupils, complemented by structured questionnaires capturing socio demographic
information, sanitation practices, and dietary habits. Informed consent was gotten from the parents or guardians of
the children who were sampled using the convenience sampling technique. Stool analysis was done in the
FLEHNHIBS laboratory after having concentrated the stool samples using the Formol Ether concentration
technique, following all standard protocols. Dat a analysis was done using SPSS version 21, and statistical
significance was considered if p value was less than or equal to 0.05. Results: The study revealed a 36.9%
prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among primary school pupils in Bamenda, with Ascaris lumbricoides
being the most common (23.1%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica (10.8%) and Giardia lamblia (3.1%). Among
the risk factors examined, consumption of undercooked meat or fish (p=0.03) and the number of users of a
defecation medium (p=0.04) were significantly associated with higher infection rates. Other factors such as
handwashing habits, pet ownership, and source of dri nking water showed no statistically significant relationship
with infection (p>0.05). Furthermore, the presence of parasitic infections was found to significantly affect
academic performance (X²=13.2, p=0.04), with infected pupils shifting from excellent t o lower performance grades
(very good or good). Pupils infected with A. lumbricoides and E. histolytica showed greater academic decline
compared to others. This underscores the detrimental impact of parasitic infections on learning outcomes,
especially in resource limited school settings. Conclusion: Regular deworming programs and improved hygiene
practices should be implemented in schools to reduce parasitic infections and enhance pupils' academic
performance.

Keywords: Prevalence, risk factors, Intestina l parasitic infections, Effects on academic performance of children, Government Practicing Nursery and Primary School in Bamenda, Cameroon.