Prevalence of intestinal parasites in Etulo, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Indigenous Etulo people of Benue State were screened for the prevalence of intestinal parasites. Overall, 703,
subjects from the twelve villages were screened using a simple and rapid concentration technique (Nigrosin methylene
blue). Nine different species of parasites were found among the people thus: Entamoeba coli – 65 (9%), Entamoeba
histolytica – 53 (7%), Ascaris lumbricoides – 89 (12%), Enterobius vermicularis – 16 (2%), hookworm – 32
4(46%), Hymenolepsis nana – 9 (1%) Trichuris trichuria – 25 (3%), Taenia saginata – 4 (0%) and Schistosoma
mansoni – 4 (0%). Although, the results were based on a relatively small cross section of volunteers who provided
stool samples for examination, the findings can be said to have provided information which was seldom available
among those people that lack toilet facility, potable water, good hygiene and sanitation.

Keywords: Intestinal parasites, hygiene, water, Nigeria.

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 27 2006: pp. 1-6