Gastro-intestinal parasites among children in some orphanages of Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Human intestinal parasite has become a major public health problem in children of developing countries because of poor socio-economic conditions and lack of good hygienic living. Prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasite infections was carried out in ten orphanages located in various parts of Anambra State, Nigeria, between the months of September 2012 and April 2013. Microscopic examination of stool samples was done using direct wet smear in iodine and physiological saline and by formol-ether concentration technique. Results obtained from the data were statistically analyzed using SPSS statistics version 20 software. Of the 114 examined children, 72 (63.16%) were positive for gastro-intestinal parasites. Seven species of gastro-intestinal parasites – Ascaris lumbricoides (59.14%), hookworm (20.43%), Hymenolepis nana (1.08%), Entamoeba histolytica (3.23%), Enterobius vermicularis (4.30%), Trichuris trichuira (5.38%) and strongyloides stecoralis egg(6.65%) – were identified. Prevalence rate was higher among males (69.39%) than the females (58.46%) but was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Polyparasitism (25%) was observed with co-infection of Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm being the highest (61.11%). Children in the age-group of 5-7 years had the highest prevalence value (71.43%) while those in the age group 8-10 years had the lowest prevalence value (50.00%) which was not statistically significant. Infection was higher among children in privately-owned orphanages (70.69%) than the children in government-owned orphanages (55.36%). The study revealed a high prevalence of intestinal parasites amongst the children in the orphanages. Poor personal and environmental hygiene among care givers were identified as major risk factors.

Keywords: prevalence, gastro-intestinal parasites, orphanages, Anambra State, Nigeria