The study was conducted to determine the epidemiology of intestinal helminth infection among pupils in Awka and Nibo Community in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State, between May and June 2021. A total number of 170 faecal samples were selected randomly from three different schools in Nibo and one school in Awka. Surveillance visits, oral interviews, focus group discussions, and a structured-questionnaire were also used to assess the prevalence of intestinal helminth infection among pupils selected for the study. Fresh faecal samples were collected with sample bottles and preserved using ice cubes and then subsequently transported to the laboratory of Parasitology and Entomology Department Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and examined using the Kato-Katz technique. Data was entered into excel sheets, and analyzed using SPSS statistical package version 25. Chi-square was used to measure the significant differences. Results show that out of the 170 pupils examined, 44 (25.9%) were infected. A cumulative prevalence of 25.3% was recorded for Ascaris lumbricoides, 2.4% for Hookworms, and 2.4% for Trichuris trichiura, while co-infection showed a prevalence of 4.1%. The prevalence by gender in Awka community revealed that female with a prevalence of 6 (21.4%) were more infected than males with a prevalence of 3 (13.0%). However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05). Prevalence by age shows that pupils of the age group 1-5 years were more infected with the prevalence of 3 (27.3%) than other age groups. However, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of intestinal helminths concerning the age of pupils examined (P>0.05). In Nibo, prevalence by gender shows that male with 17(29.8%) had more prevalence than the female with 18 (29.0%), which was contrary to that of Awka, although there was no significant difference between the prevalence of intestinal helminths for gender of pupils examined in Nibo (P>0.05). Prevalence by age shows that pupils of the age group 1-5 years have more prevalence rate than other age groups. However, there was no significant difference in intestinal helminths with respect to the age of pupils examined (P>0.05). The study advocates the need for continuous regular periodic deworming in schools and periodic surveillance to ensure that the risk due to the infection is completely reduced and health education should be taken serious in schools.

Keywords: Intestinal helminths, Infection, Epidemiology, School Children, Anambra State