Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Children in Selected Communities of Ifo Local Government Area (LGA) of Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections are diseases of major public health importance caused by nematodes and protozoans. Developing countries are the most affected as the infections areassociated with poverty. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal
parasitic infections among children in selected communities of Ifo Local Government Area(LGA) of Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of two hundred and seventy-four (274) feacal sampleswere collected from children between the ages of 4 and 15 selected randomly in the communitiesfor the study. The faecal samples were examined for presence of parasites usingtheformaldehyde-ether concentration technique. Eighty-four (30.66%) of the feacal samples werepositive for one intestinal parasites infection or the other. Mixed infection was observedin22(8.03%). Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent, followed by Hookworm(5.47%). While Trichuris trichiura was the least prevalent. Highest prevalence was recorded in Adenrelecommunity (30.56%), while the least prevalence was recorded in Solu community (27.08%). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the infection rate of the helminth parasitesfound in the area. Highest prevalence was observed in the female gender, 18.61%andthe7-9years age group, 11.68%. The study showed that intestinal parasitic infection is prevalent amongchildren in the various communities in Ifo Local Government Area and the infection is predominant among young female children. Continuous deworming exercise, publicenlightenment good hygiene practices will reduce the incidence of parasitic infections amongchildren in area.