Intestinal Parasites Among Unity Primary School Pupils, in Oraifite, Ekwusigo L.g.a., Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria.
CHAPTER ONE
Preamble to the study
Intestinal parasites are parasites that populate the gastro-intestinal tract. They are larger than bacteria and viruses but some of them are so small that one cannot see them without a microscope. Intestinal parasitic infections have been described as constituting the greatest single worldwide cause of illness and disease. Numerous studies have shown that the incidence of intestinal parasites may approach 99% in developing countries (Ambrose, 2001).
Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most prevalent of human parasitic infections worldwide (Jeliffe, 1966; Toriole, 1990; WHO, 1966). They had been long recognized as an important health problem especially among Nigerian children (Kow and Balasurbrama, 1986; Janes, 1974; Oduntan, 1974; Ajayi and Akinyinka, 1999; Olusi et al., 1975; Salimon 1980). Several epidemiological studies had indicated a high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among Nigeria children.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Epidemiology
The distribution of parasitic infections is determined by several factors, such as environment, food- habit, cultural tradition, social status, economic situations and others. Each parasite has its own natural and social habitat, and favourable environment is a prerequisite for its transmission. For example, Soil-transmitted helminthes (STHs) or Geohelminthes are highly prevalent in poor agricultural societies, where human faeces are used as a fertilizer (Crompton, 1999; Horton, 2003). Fish-transmitted flukes are prevalent among raw-fish-eating communities along river basins and seaside areas (Chai et al., 2005), and schistosomiasis is transmitted to people residing along endemic rivers or water reservoirs. In a word, the prevalence of a parasitic infection is a consequence of both natural and cultural factors, but its control is a product of social consent and change of behavior.
Of the world’s 218 countries, Ascaris is known to be distributed in 153 countries; no data are available on its distribution in the remainder. In 1947, globally 650 million people were estimated to be infected with Ascaris, but this scored to 1,472 million in 1990 (Crompton, 1999).
Moreover, these estimates suggest that the overall prevalence of ascariasis has remained almost unchanged over the last 50 years. Most of the infected are believed to live in Asia, Africa, and Central or South America. However, in Asia, Ascaris has been almost completely eradicated from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan. China is currently showing a rapid decrease of its prevalence in urban and developed areas (Tang, 2002). Therefore, the estimates in Asia need to be revised.
CHAPTER THREE
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study area
The study was undertaken in Oraifite Community, Ekwusigo Local Government Area (LGA) Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria. It has a tropical continental climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The average relative humidity is about 80% reaching 90% during rains. There are wide divergences in the composition of the soil from rich loamy soil to sandy soil with immense agricultural potentialities. The inhabitants are predominantly farmers and traders. Rain water stored in tanks and boreholes are their sources of drinking water. Method of faecal disposal in the primary school includes pit latrine and defecation in buhes surrounding the school premises. Only one public health centre offer health services to the host community.
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS
The data obtained from stool samples were analysed statistically using chi-square (X2) test. The level of significance was p< 0.05. An overall prevalence rate of 47.6% was observed. Seven parasites, namely Ascaris lumbricoides (12.8%), Trichuris richiura (1.9%), Hookworm (7.6%), Strongyloides stercoralis (4.8%), Entamoeba histolytica (11.0%), Entamoeba coli (6.7%), and Giardia lamblia (2.8%) were isolated (Table 1). Thus, Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent intestinal parasite (figure 1).
Infection was higher among females than in males, though it was not statistically significance (p > 0.05). Children in age group 10-14 years had the highest prevalence rate (61.4%) while those in age group 5-9 (24.1%) had the lowest prevalence rate. The difference in the prevalence rate with respect to age was statistically significance (p < 0.05). Children whose parents were farmers and those whose parents combine farming with other occupations (Others) had the highest prevalence rate of 66.7% each. Children whose parents were traders and civil servants had the prevalence rate of 41.0% and 20.4% respectively.
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION
Prevalence of intestinal parasites
Overall prevalence
The result of the investigation demonstrates very clearly a high prevalence of intestinal parasites among school pupils in UNICEF primary school, Isingwu, Oraifite, Ekwusigo L.G.A., Anambra State, Southeastern Nigeria. An overall prevalence of 47.6% recorded by this study appears high when compared with some reported results of previous studies in other parts of the country. For instance, Alakija (1986) reported a value of 25.6% in rural areas of Nigeria. Okeniyi et al. (2005) recorded a value of 33.1% among semi-urban Nigerian children. Opara et al. (2007) reported a value of 21.1% among primary school children in Owerri municipality, Imo State. Anosike et al. (2005) reported a value of 37.3% in a central Nigerian rural community. However the prevalence is almost similar with 48.7% prevalence rate reported by Mba and Amadi (2001). Several other reports from other parts of tropical Africa have shown very high (>70%) infection rates of intestinal helminthes (Dada et al., 1993).
Variations in prevalence rate of intestinal parasitosis from different rural communities could be related to several factors including people’s level of education, standard of personal/environmental hygiene and perhaps social habits (Anosike et al., 2006). More so, some ecological factors such as temperature, relative humidity, rainfall (Onwuliri et al., 1993), different diagnostic techniques employed by various workers could be responsible for observed differences in prevalence between schools. This calls for a uniform standard diagnostic technique for any National Control program on intestinal parasitiasis.
Conclusion and recommendation
The delibilitating effects of intestinal parasitic infections on school children are many and include among others, malnutrition, kwashiorkor, emaciation, abdominal pain, and mental backwardness (Ijagbone and Olagunji, 2006). Some of these features were observed physically among the children sampled. Some pupils complained of symptoms associated with intestinal parasitic diseases and absenteeism from school due to illness caused by these parasites. Also school teachers made similar observations on their pupils. In order to control the condition, local health officers should visit the school for routine deworming of the school children. Sanitary improvement such as regular washing of the toilets and effective use of water for hand washing after playing should be adopted. Adequate health education and provision of basic amenities should also help to provide some level of good living in the school.
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