Prevalence and Distribution of Intestinal Protozoa and Helminthiasis in a Semi-Urban Community in Plateau State-Nigeria

Abstract

Intestinal parasites have continued to cause significant morbidity worldwide with the widest occurrence in tropical Africa and other developing countries. In Nigeria, intestinal helminthes have remained a major health hazard with more endemicity in the rural areas where poor sanitation, personal hygiene and general ignorance of diseases have been shown to enhance spread. The study therefore, investigated the prevalence and distribution of intestinal protozoa and helminthes infections in human subjects of different age groups in Mangu district (09º32’’31 N, 09 º04’’54 E) Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria; from a sample size of 610. Stool samples were collected and tested for intestinal protozoa and helminthes. Two hundred and eighty seven (47.1%) samples were positive for single, double or multiple infections while three hundred and twenty three (52.9%) were not infected. There was significant difference between infected and non-infected samples (One way ANOVA: F (1, 21) = 5.663, p < 0.05), there was a significant difference in rate of infection according to age group (One Sample –T- test: t=11.417, df= 10, P<0.001), type of toilet facility used by subjects (One Sample –T- test: t=6.526, df=2, P<0.05) and occupation (One Sample –T- test: t= 11.884, df= 5, P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference due to different sources of drinking water and sex of the subjects. It is then recommended that environmental sanitation exercise be intensified and supervised by the local Health Authority; also all stake holders concerned should sustain de-warming exercises. These among other interventions will help reduce significantly the prevalence of helminthes and protozoan infestation in the area, hence, abating socio-economic burdens of the citizenry resultant from the epidemic.