Epidemiology of intestinal parasitic infections among suspected patients attending a referral hospital in Kenya

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Enteric parasitic diseases constitute a major public health problem in the entire population. This study intended to investigate possible relation in sanitary conditions, hygienic practices and socio-economic status of referred patients at a teaching hospital in Kenya.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted on socio-economic risk factors related to high prevalence of enteric diseases in 185 randomly selected patients from April to December 2015. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and stool samples subjected to routine stool investigations. Descriptive analysis was used for prevalence rates while Chi-square test was used to determine associations with risk factors; P < 0.05 and 95 % confidence level.
RESULTS
The overall prevalence was 46.5 % (86/185) and 6.4 % (12/185) for Polyparasitism. The diseases included; Amoebiasis (63.0%), Cryptosporidiosis (20.0%), Giardiasis (3.7%), Ascariasis (1.6%), Hymenolepsiasis (1.0%), Hookworm disease (1.0%) and Trichuriasis (0.5%). Prevalence of infected cases according to social-economic categories included; permanent housing (60.6%), unemployed (54.4%), urban (51.9%), pit latrine (49.7%), educated (48.8%), untreated water (46.9%), hand washing (46.5%) and pet owners (43.0%). There were no statistically significant differences observed in socio-demographic and risk factors (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Several socio-economic factors contribute enormously to establishment and spread of enteric parasitic diseases. Prevention can be achieved by addressing specific social behavioral changes via public health education. The findings provide useful information on prevention and management of intestinal parasitic infestations at county and national level.