Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Edo State

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and factors
responsible for the spread of intestinal parasites in Edo State
and suggest strategies for their control.
Methods: This prospective and cross sectional study
involved 3601 (798 males, 1002 females and 1801 children)
selected randomly from the 18 local government areas of Edo
State. Stool samples collected from the selected participants
were analysed using standard techniques. Using a structured
questionnaire, factors which disposed to increase in the
prevalence of intestinal parasites were investigated between
April 2007 and March 2008.
Results: High prevalence (11.3%) of intestinal parasites was
recorded in the study. Those drinking well water had the
highest prevalence, followed by those who used tap water
and least among people who used borehole water. Infection
rate was higher in children who lived in bushy surrounding
and lower in children who lived in marshy surrounding. The
highest infection rate of 10% was observed in chldren who
lived in environments where refuse was indiscriminately
disposed and lowest (2.5%) in adult males who inhabited
environments where refuse was collected in dust bins.
Children who ate outside their homes and with unwashed
hands were more likely to be infected than adult males who
ate at home.
Conclusion: There was high prevalence of parasitic
infections in the State. Factors including water source,
environment, method of refuse disposal, feeding pattern,
sewage disposal, socio-economic status and cultural habits
were identified to be contributing to parasitic infection.

Keywords: Socio-economic factors, parasitic infection, Edo
state, Nigeria