Hyperendemicity of intestinal parasitic infections among children in a rural community in Ondo State, Nigeria
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Achievers University, Owo, P. M.B.1030, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.
*Oduwole, O. A. and Igwe, E. M.
Corresponding Author: olabisioduwole@achievers.edu.ng; Tel: +2348056071976
Recieved Date: June 2022; Accepted Date: June 2022; Published Date: June, 2022
ABSTRACT
Background/Objective: Intestinal parasitic infections remain a very major public health concern in low-middle-income countries. This current study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and their distribution among school aged children living in a rural community in Ondo State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study of 400 school children who were randomly selected to provide stool and capillary blood samples. The stool samples were examined using formal ether concentration technique to determine the proportion of children infected with intestinal parasites. Also, the blood samples were centrifuged in capillary tubes to measure the children’s mean haematocrit. A structured questionnaire was administered to obtain biodata, socio- demographic and hygiene related information from the participants. Chi square (X2) test was used to compare the difference in the proportion of infections and student t-test was used to determine the differences in mean between variables. Results: Half of the participants were males and the mean age of the participants was 9.99 ± 4.27 years (p = 0.102). None received mass drug administration (MDA) from the government. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in the children was 54% and infected children were considerably more anaemic than children not infected (p < 0.001). Gender did not significantly affect the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (p=.077089). Conclusion: The children may not have benefited from MDA owing to their remote location. The government should be more deliberate by targeting children living in remote communities during MDA campaigns.