Intestinal parasitic infections in three geographical zones of Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The distribution of intestinal parasitic infections among school-age children was assessed in three geographical zones (rural, semi-urban and urban) in Rivers State, Nigeria. Stool samples were collected following ethical approval and consent from parents and teachers of the pupils and analyzed using both wet saline/iodine and formol-ether concentration methods. A total of 3,828 stool samples were collected from school children in thirty-six primary schools from thirteen Local Government Areas of Rivers State. Of the 3,828 stool samples examined, a total of 1,059 (27.66%) were positive for different intestinal parasites. Of the geographical zones, prevalence of infection was higher in the Rural area (35.32%), followed by the Urban area (34.75%) and semi-urban (29.93%). The differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Sex-related infection shows that infections occurred more among boys (35.57%) in the rural area, followed by urban (34.43%) and semi-urban (30.0%). More females (35.19%) were infected in Urban followed by Rural (34.97%) and semiurban (29.94%). This high prevalence is of public health concern hence control measures and awareness strategy to improve sanitation should be developed.

Keywords: intestinal parasitic infections, distributions, geographical zones, Rivers State, Nigeria