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Published on: August 22, 2012
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.
Background:
It is estimated that 3 billion people world wide are infected with intestinal parasites. Morbidity is highest amongst children; infestation causes a threat to the growth and development of the child. The study aims to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthes in children attending day care centers in Jos metropolis.
Methodology:
Ten day care centers were randomly selected from the total number of day care centers. From each centre children were randomly selected for study. Parents of selected children completed a structured questionnaire and stool specimens of the children were analyzed using iodine and saline preparation.
Results:
Two hundred and twenty-one children (57.8%) of the 384 children studied had intestinal parasites. Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale and Trichuris trichura were the commonest parasites found. The relationship between intestinal parasite infestation and diarrhea in past 2 months (X2 =19.5, df = 1,p < 0.001 OR = 3.87), de-worming in the past six months (X2 = 11.13, df = 1, p < 0.001, OR = 4.55) and domestic treatment of drinking water (X2 = 35.38, df = 1, p < 0.001, OR = 4.3) were statistically significant.
Conclusion:
Intestinal parasite infestation in the children was high.
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