Prevalence of Human Taeniasis in Odeda Area of Ogun State, Nigeria

This study investigated the prevalence of taeniasis among school-aged children in Odeda area of Ogun state, Nigeria. Four hundred and twenty-eight school-aged children were recruited and demographic information were obtained using a simple questionnaire. Faecal samples were also collected, processed using ether concentration method and examined for ova/proglottids of Taenia spp under a light microscope. Data obtained were analysed using IBM SPSS 20.0 statistical software. Of the 428 (100%) children, 226 (52.8%) were females and 202 (47.2%) were males. By age category, 238 (55.6%) of the children were within age category 11-15 years, while 190 (44.4%) belonged to the younger age category (5-10 years). Children who were from a christian family 236 (55.1%) were more in numbers compared to children 192 (44.9%) from an islamic parental background, and majority of the children recruited into the study had parents who can read and write. An overall prevalence of 175 (40.9%) was recorded for taeniasis. Although significant difference donot exist (P>0.05) between Taenia spp infection and demographic variables, the overall prevalence reported portrays a serious public health problem that requires urgent attention. There is thus a need for more full-scale investigation of Taenia spp prevalence in Nigeria, in the phase of planning for appropriate prevention and control strategy.