Evaluating Intestinal Parasites Prevalence and Risk Factors Among Operatives and Meat Sellers in Selected Abattoirs, Rivers State
Chapter One
Aim
The aim of this study is to evaluate the intestinal parasites prevalence and risk factors among operatives and meat sellers in selected abattoirs, Rivers state.
Objectives
The objectives of this study are:
- To determine the prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasites and helminths infecting operatives and meat seller in Rivers state.
- To identify the risk factors associated with the prevalence of intestinal protozoans and helminths infection in operatives and meat sellers.
- To determine the association of gender and age with the prevalence of intestinal protozoans and helminths infecting operatives and meat sellers.
- To assess the effect of seasons on the prevalence of intestinal protozoan and helminth infections in operatives and meat sellers in the study area.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Intestinal parasites
Intestinal parasitic infections cause a tremendous burden of disease in the tropics and subtropics as well as temperate climates due to its wide global distribution (CDC, 2014a). Prevalence of intestinal parasites has been reported from all over the world of which an estimated 3.5 billion people are affected, most of whom are operatives and meat sellers residing in developing countries (WHO, 2000). Parasitic infections can occur in operatives and meat sellers of all ages such as infants, toddlers, and very young operatives and meat sellers. Toddlers, preschoolers and young operatives and meat sellers in day care centres and school settings are at risk for parasitic diseases caused by both parasitic protozoans and helminths which are mostly spread by person-toperson contact as is common during childhood play (Obadiah et al., 2011). Pets and other animals are also potential sources of infection with intestinal parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii Nicolle and Manceaux, 1908; Toxocara Spp. Wilder, 1950; Dipylidium caninum, among others that can affect operatives and meat sellers of all ages (WHO, 2015; O’Donoghue, 2010). The major intestinal parasitic infections of global public health concern, of the protozoan species are Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia and soil transmitted helminths Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm (WHO, 2000; Haque, 2007).
Intestinal Protozoans
Intestinal protozoan parasites can be said to have contributed immensely in undermining the health of operatives and meat sellers as they are commonly known to cause intestinal infections compared to helminths (Haque, 2007). Several epidemiological studies within and outside Nigeria have indicated that a high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections, including protozoan, as a contributing factor affecting approximately one-quarter of the world’s population, especially operatives and meat sellers, mostly due to their poor hygienic and sanitary habits coupled with voracious eating habits (Uguoma et al., 2008). Also, recent estimate indicates that more than 880 million operatives and meat sellers are in need of treatment for intestinal protozoan parasites and helminths (WHO, 2016).
Pathogenic intestinal protozoa infections are common in school-age operatives and meat sellers in the developing world and they are frequently associated with malabsorption syndromes and intestinal morbidity (Speich et al., 2013). Although several protozoan parasites affect humans, not all of them are pathogenic. The most pathogenic intestinal protozoans are Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia. Others may include Isospora spp., Trichomonas vaginalis and Entamoeba coli among others (Amin, 2002; Harhay et al., 2010). In developed countries, protozoan parasites more commonly cause intestinal infections compared to helminths because the former multiply within the host.
Global Distribution and Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoans
Diarrhoea, at a global level, is a major contributor to childhood mortality and morbidity in the developing world and is estimated to cause 2.5million deaths each year (Kosek et al., 2003).
In a study carried out by Jayarani et al. (2014) on intestinal parasitic infections in preschool and school going operatives and meat sellers from rural area of Puducherry, India, a prevalence of 15% was reported. Giardia lamblia was the most prevalent parasite (44%) and it was more prevalent in school going operatives and meat sellers (10%) than in preschools (13.33%).
In Nigeria, a high prevalence of 89.5% with Giardia lamblia was reported by Nkrumah and Nguah (2011) in their study to associate diarrhoea with prevalence of G. lamblia in operatives and meat sellers. The prevalence of G. lamblia was associated with childhood diarrhoea.
CHAPTER THREE
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study area
Rivers State, also known simply as Rivers, is one of the 36 states of Nigeria. According to census data released in 2006, the state has a population of 5,198,716, making it the sixth-most populous state in the country. Its capital and largest city, Port Harcourt, is economically significant as the centre of Nigeria’s oil industry. Rivers State is bounded on the South by the Atlantic Ocean, to the North by Imo, Abia and Anambra States, to the East by Akwa Ibom State, and to the West by Bayelsa and Delta states. It is home of many ethnic groups: Ijaw Subgroups, Ikwerre, Ekpeye, Etche, Obolo (Andoni), Ogoni people and other ethnic groups. The people from Rivers State are known as “Riverians”.
Study population
The study population comprised operatives and meat seller within Rivers state which were randomly selected. Prior visit was made to the operatives and meat sellers to carry out the study.
Ethical clearance
Ethical clearance was obtained from Committee for Use of Human Subjects for Research, Rivers state University.
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS
Prevalence data of the species of intestinal protozoans and helminths in operatives and meat sellers
Cysts and eggs of eight (8) intestinal parasites were recovered from stool samples examined in this study. They include the cysts of two protozoans (Entamoeba histolytica (Plate I) and Balantidium coli) and the eggs of six helminths (Dipylidium caninum, Diphyllobothrium latum, Hymenolepis nana, Ascaris lumbricoides, Hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis) (Plates II, III, IV, V, VI and VII respectively). Parasite with the highest prevalence was Hookworm (4.92%) followed by A. lumbricoides (3.50%) then S. stercoralis (1.04%), which are all soil transmitted helminths. The intestinal parasites with the lowest prevalence were the protozoans, E. histolytica (0.26%) and Balantidium coli (0.26%); and H. nana (0.26%) (Table 4.1).
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION
The cysts and eggs of eight intestinal protozoans and helminths of medical importance were identified in the stools of operatives and meat seller in Rivers state Government Area. They include the cysts of Entamoeba histolytica and Balantidium coli; and eggs of Hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis, Hymenolepis nana, Dipylidium caninum and Diphyllobothrium latum. The results obtained here support the fact that in developing countries, including Nigeria, intestinal helminths have prevailed due to poor living standards, poor environmental sanitation and ignorance of health-promoting behaviours as stated by Odoba et al. (2012). Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis and hookworm were the predominant parasites identified and are soil transmitted helminths. The presence of these soil transmitted helminths in the operatives and meat sellers can be associated to their play habits; most of these operatives and meat sellers are in their oral stage and they play a lot with soil and soiled objects which serves as factors that predisposes them to these intestinal parasites when they put these objects in their mouths. Also, the prevalence of these soil transmitted helminths may have occurred among operatives and meat sellers who licked/ sucked their fingers which might have been soiled or contaminated. Some of the parasites identified in this study had been reported to occur among operatives and meat seller by Chirdan et al. (2010); in abattoir, Sabon Tasha, Chikun by Kuboye (2013) and among abattoir pupils and their playgrounds in Zaria by Odoba et al. (2012). This might be because day care centres and abattoirss mostly exist together and operatives and meat sellers from abattoirss share the same playgrounds, where most of these helminths have been reported to occur by Nock et al. (2003) and Odoba et al. (2012), with high prevalence of 52% and 32% respectively.
CHAPTER SIX
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusions
Intestinal protozoans and helminths are prevalent in operatives and meat sellers in selected abattoirs in Rivers state Government Area (9.33%). Intestinal helminths are more prevalent in the sampled abattoir than intestinal protozoan parasites and only helminths parasites were recorded in operatives and meat sellers of the operatives and meat sellerss. This means the first null hypothesis that “intestinal protozoans and helminths are not prevalent in operatives and meat sellers in Rivers state Government Area”, is rejected.
There is significant association between some risk factors such as hand washing with only water (OR=2.35) and not washing hands after play (OR=2.05), use of pit latrines (OR=1.72), sharing of toilets between staff and students (OR=1.70) and non-use of disinfectants in cleaning (OR=1.72) (CI≥1); with the prevalence of intestinal protozoan and helminth infections in the study area. The second hypothesis is also rejected.
Age and gender significantly correlates with the prevalence of intestinal protozoans and helminths operatives and meat sellers in selected abattoirs in Rivers state. rejecting the third hypothesis which states that “age and gender are not associated with the prevalence intestinal protozoans and helminths infecting operatives and meat seller in Rivers state”.
Seasons affect the prevalence of intestinal protozoans and helminths which is more in the dry season than the wet season. The fourth hypothesis, “Seasons does not affect the prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasites and helminths infecting operatives and meat seller in Rivers state,” is also rejected.
Recommendations
Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that the management of the abattoirs should provide appropriate hand washing facilities (such as clean running water with liquid soap and possibly hand sanitizer) and the teachers and nannies/caregivers should ensure that the operatives and meat sellers practice appropriate hand washing/ use the facilities properly.
Individuals should also be advised/sensitized through health personnel and the media on the need to deworm their operatives and meat sellers regularly as recommended by WHO (2017).
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