Geohelminth Infections and Associated Risk Factors among Children Living in Selected Shanty (Batcher) Settlements in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and their associated risk factors among children living in some selected shanty settlements in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. Study Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study. Place and Duration: The study was carried out in Port Harcourt Metropolis Rivers State Nigeria, between March to September 2015. Methodology: Concentration Method (Sedimentation) was used to examine the stool samples according to Cheesbrough (2005). Questionnaire was also used to assess the associated risk factors. Results: Of the 414 randomly surveyed children 27.1% had parasitic infections, four types of helminths, Ascaris lumbricoides (15.0%), Hookworm (10.9%), Trichuris trichiura (1.0%) and Strongyloides stercoralis(0.2%) were recovered.  Multiple parasitic infections were not recorded, and result showed a significant difference in the occurrence of species of geohelminths (p=0.000). The highest prevalence of 39.4% was observed among children living in Diobu II location. Difference in location prevalence was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). The males showed a higher prevalence of intestinal parasite infections (29.1%) than the females (25.0%). However, this was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Age distribution of the prevalence of infection did not show a definite pattern, but infection rate was highest among 9 – 10years. This observed difference in prevalence by age was statistically significant (p<0.05). Comparing the distribution of parasites within the age groupings, hookworm infection was most encountered among 9-10 years while Ascaris lumbricoides infection was most frequent among children aged 7-8 years. Risk factor assessment showed that children who defecate on ground/field recorded the highest prevalence followed by those that use the pit latrine. The study also documented a very high prevalence of intestinal parasites amongst children who do not wear footwear. Conclusion: Ascaris, hookworms and trichuris were recorded in the study; these parasites are found prevalent in Nigeria and associated with poor infrastructure and unsanitary habits. Males showed a higher prevalence of intestinal parasite infections than the females and multiple parasitic infections were not recorded. Open defecation and non-usage of footwear were associated risk factors in the acquisition and distribution of geohelminth infections among the children.