Intestinal Parasites among Children from Two Communities in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted on the prevalence of intestinal parasites among children residing in Eagle Island in Port Harcourt Local Government Area and Wiiyaakara in Khana local government all in Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of two hundred and twenty (220) faecal specimens were collected from the children aged (2-17) years into a wide-mouthed universal container and were analyzed using wet saline/iodine and formol ether concentration methods for presence of intestinal parasites. Out of the total of 220 samples examined, 44 children were infected with various intestinal parasites with an overall prevalence of 20%. Eagle Island had a higher prevalence 24(54.5%) than Wiiyaakara, 20(45.5%). The species identified and their prevalence were Ascaris lumbricoides 24(54.6%), Trichuris trichuria13(29.5%) and Hookworm 7(15.9%). The result of this study showed a higher prevalence of infection in male 24(54.5%) than female 20(45.5%) with no significant difference (p>0.05) and children within the age bracket of 10-13 years (27.3%) with the highest prevalence. This study therefore shows that intestinal helminths are prevalent among children residing in Eagle Island and Wiiyaakara Communities in Rivers State. This calls for more enlightenment on measures aimed at reducing parasitic infections among children in these areas, which are associated with poor environmental sanitation and unhygienic personal behaviours among children. Periodic treatment of individual with anti-parasitic drugs should also be encouraged.