Intestinal parasites in children attending day care centers in Jos, Central Nigeria

O O Chirdan1, J T Akosu, S O Adah

  • 1Department of Community Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos Plateau State, Nigeria. yemisichirdan@yahoo.com

Insights

Intestinal parasite infections are common in children attending daycare in Jos metropolis, affecting over half of those studied. This highlights a significant public health concern for child growth and development.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Intestinal parasite infections affect billions globally, with children being the most vulnerable.
  • Infestations pose a significant threat to children's growth and development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthes in children attending day care centers in Jos metropolis.

Main Methods:

  • Randomly selected 10 day care centers in Jos metropolis.
  • Collected stool specimens from randomly selected children for analysis using iodine and saline preparations.
  • Administered structured questionnaires to parents of participating children.

Main Results:

  • 57.8% of the 384 children studied were infected with intestinal parasites.
  • Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, and Trichuris trichura were the most prevalent helminthes.
  • Significant associations were found between parasite infestation and diarrhea, recent de-worming, and domestic water treatment methods.

Conclusions:

  • Intestinal parasite infestation is highly prevalent among children in Jos metropolis day care centers.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Giardiasis01:12

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
Anthelminthic Agents01:15

Anthelminthic Agents

Anthelmintic drugs differ significantly from antiparasitic therapies targeting protozoa, primarily due to differences in parasite biology. Whereas most protozoal treatments act on proliferating cells, anthelmintics are typically directed against mature, nonproliferative helminths. The therapeutic approach considers the helminth's reliance on neuromuscular coordination, glucose metabolism, and microtubular integrity for survival, reproduction, and localization within the host. Most anthelmintics...
Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:30

Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

A healthcare provider can diagnose a urinary tract infection (UTI) through several methods:Medical History and Symptoms: The provider will take a detailed medical history and ask about symptoms such as frequent urination, burning sensation during urination, and lower abdominal pain.Urinalysis: A clean-catch urine sample is collected in a sterile container and tested for the presence of bacteria, white blood cells (leukocytes), nitrites, blood, and protein. The presence of leukocytes and...
American Trypanosomiasis01:22

American Trypanosomiasis

Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a vector-borne parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellated protozoan (kinetoplastid) of the family Trypanosomatidae. The disease is endemic in Latin America, although cases are increasingly reported worldwide due to human migration. Transmission most commonly occurs when feces of infected triatomine bugs contaminate bite wounds or mucosal surfaces; additional routes include congenital, transfusional, transplant-related, and oral...