Intestinal Parasites in Children Attending Day Care Centers in Jos, Central Nigeria

Abstract

It is estimated that 3 billion people world wide are infected with intestinal parasites. Morbidity is highest amongst children; infestation causes a threat to the growth and development of the child. The study aims to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthes in children attending day care centers in Jos metropolis. Ten day care centers were randomly
selected from the total number of day care centers. From each centre children were randomly selected for study. Parents of selected children completed a structured questionnaire and stool specimens of the children were analyzed using iodine and saline preparation. : Two hundred and twenty-one children (57.8%) of the 384 children studied had intestinal parasites. Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale and Trichuris trichura were the commonest parasites found. The relationship between intestinal parasite infestation and diarrhea in past 2 months (X =19.5, df = 1, p< 0.001 OR=3.87), de-worming in the past six months(X = 11.13,
df =1, p<0.001, OR=4.55) and domestic treatment of drinking water X = 35.38, df =1, p<0.001, OR=4.3) were statistically significant.
Intestinal parasite infestation in the children was high.

Keywords: Intestinal parasites, water, excreta, diarrhea, antihelminthics, children, daycare centers