https://doi.org/10.4081/mm.2024.11288

Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitoses among residents of Ekemkpon and Idim Ita of Cross River State, Nigeria

Vol. 39 No. 1 (2024)
Submitted: 2 March 2023
Accepted: 26 March 2024
Published: 17 June 2024
Intestinal parasites, Ekemkpon, Idim Ita, Intestinal protozoa, Intestinal helminth
Abstract Views: 350
PDF: 105
HTML: 59
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Authors

Francisca Ugboaja
Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Etefia Etefia
etefiaetefia1@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4105-4016
Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Samuel S. Akpan
Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Calabar, Nigeria.
Ben Asuquo
Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Calabar, Nigeria.

Background: intestinal parasitic infections are the most common infections in the world, with the most prevalent burden occurring in poverty-stricken areas. Intestinal parasitic infections are endemic in certain parts of Nigeria as a result of poor hygiene practices and pollution, which result in contamination of food and water. In semi-urban and rural communities where the dwellers are generally poor and uneducated and lack basic amenities like potable water supply and good sanitary facilities, intestinal parasitic infections cause major health problems. This study was to evaluate the influence of socio-demographic factors in the transmission of intestinal parasitoses among the residents of Ekemkpon and Idim Ita Communities of Cross River State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: this was a cross-sectional survey between April 2019 and August 2019. Samples were obtained from 359 participants in the study areas and examined for stool analysis using direct microscopy and brine floatation technique. Socio-demographic data of the study subjects were obtained using questionnaires. Results: the prevalence of intestinal parasites was higher in Ekemkpon (41.0%) than in Idim Ita (14.9%). Participants with mixed infections in Ekemkpon were 7.9%, while those in Idim Ita were 2.2%. The study has shown that level of education had an influence on the transmission of intestinal parasites in Ekemkpon (p<0.05). Open defecation played a major role as a source of contamination of domestic water and farm products in the Ekemkpon community. The overall helminthic infections in the two study areas were higher than the protozoan infections observed in this study. The only intestinal protozoa in Ekemkpon was Entamoeba histolytica/dispar while hookworm species were the commonest helminthic parasites in Ekemkpon. Balantidium coli (4.4%) was the most prevalent intestinal protozoan parasites in Idim Ita while hookworm and Ascaris lumbricoides (2.8%) were the most occurring helminthic parasites in Idim Ita. Conclusions: it is recommended that strategies aimed at health education, diagnosing and treating those positive for intestinal parasite infections, and improving the general well-being of the masses be encouraged.

Dimensions

Altmetric

PlumX Metrics

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Citations

Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC
Adeyeba O, Essiet U. Prevalence of helminth and protozoal infection among a religious sect that walks barefooted in Iseyin, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology. 2001;22:85-94. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v22i1.37764
Afigbo AE. The Igbo and their neighbours: inter–group relations in Southeastern Nigeria to 1953. University Press, Ibadan, Nigeria; 1987.
Akinbo FO, Arimokwu S. Intestinal parasitic infections among spare parts traders in Benin City, Nigeria. Sub-Saharan African Journal of Medicine. 2016;3:153. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/2384-5147.190857
Akinbo FO, Omoregie R, Eromwon R, et al. Prevalence of intestinal parasites among patients of a tertiary hospital in Benin City, Nigeria. NAJMS. 2011;3:462-4. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4297/najms.2011.3462.
Alagoa EJ, Tamuno TN. Land and people of Nigeria: Rivers State. Riverside Communications; London, UK; 1989. 253 pp.
Al-zain B, Al-hindi A. Distribution of Strongyloides stercoralis and other intestinal parasites in household in Beit-lahia city, Gaza Strip, Palestine. AQM. 2005;1:48-52.
Arani AS, Alaghehbandan R, Akhlaghi L, et al. Prevalence of intestinal parasites in a population in South Tehran, Iran. Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo 2008;50:145-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0036-46652008000300003
Bieri FA, Gray DJ, Williams GM, et al. Health-education package to prevent worm infections in Chinese schoolchildren. N. Engl. J. Med. 2013;368:1603-12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1204885
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Global Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH). 2020. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/global/WASH.html
Cheesbrough M. District laboratory practice in tropical countries part 1 (2nd ed). Cambridge University Press; Cambridge, UK; 2009.
Damen JG, Luka J, Biwan EI, Lugos M. Prevalence of intestinal parasites among pupils in rural north Eastern, Nigeria. NJM. 2011;52:4-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/0300-1652.80064
Effanga EO, Imalele EE. Intestinal parasites and anemia amongst adult patients attending a tertiary hospital in Calabar, Nigeria. Journal of Global Biosciences. 2018;7:5633-53.
Etefia EU, Inyang-Etoh PC. Evaluation of intestinal parasite loads, haemoglobin levels and CD4 counts of patients on Antiretroviral Combination Therapy (cART) in Calabar, Nigeria. Mintage Journal of Pharmaceutical & Medical Sciences. 2019;8:21-5.
Hotez PJ, Fenwick A, Savioli L, Molyneux DH. Rescuing the bottom billion through control of neglected tropical diseases. Lancet. 2009;373:1570-75. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60233-6
Hotez PJ, Alvarado M, Basáñez M-G, et al. The global burden of disease study 2010: interpretation and implications for the neglected tropical diseases. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2014;8:e2865. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002496
Jegede EF, Oyeyi ET, Bichi AH, et al. Prevalence of intestinal parasites among HIV/AIDS patients attending Infectious Disease Hospital Kano, Nigeria. Pan Afr Med J. 2014;17:295.
Kia EB, Hossein M, Nilforoushan MR, et al. Study of intestinal protozoan parasites in rural inhabitants of Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran. Iranian J Parasitol. 2008;3:22-5.
Mareeswaran N, Savitha AK, Gopalakrishnan S. Prevalence of intestinal parasites among urban and rural population in Kancheepuram District of Tamil Nadu. IJCMPH. 2018;5:2585-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20182199
Merenikwu M, Antia-Obong OE, Asindi AA, et al. Prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminthiasis in pre-school children of peasant farmers in Calabar. NJM. 1995;4:40-6.
Muhammad IM, Umoru AM, Isyaka TM. Intestinal parasitic infections among patients attending a Tertiary Health Institution in Northeastern Nigeria. AJRC. 2014;2:88-96.
Mulatu G, Zeynudin A, Zemene E, et al. Intestinal parasitic infections among children under five years of age presenting with diarrheal diseases to two public health facilities in Hawassa, South Ethiopia. Infect Dis Poverty. 2015;4:49. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-015-0081-x
Murray CJL, Vos T, Lozano R, Naghavi M, et al. Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) for 291 Diseases and Injuries in 21 Regions, 1990-2010: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. Lancet. 2012;380:2197-223. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61689-4
Nigeria National Bureau of Statistics. Annual Abstract of Statistics, 2011. Available from: https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/elibrary/read/187
Odu NU, Elechi VI, Okonko IO. Epidemiological status of intestinal parasitic infection rates in children attending Guagwalada Township Clinic Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria, AJRC. 2013;3:97-110.
Odugbemi TO, Akinrujomu V, Onajole AT. Prevalence of intestinal helminth infections among primary school children in Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care. 2015;27:64-78.
Offiong DA. An Introduction to the Ibibio of Nigeria. Apex Books Ltd.; Clacton-on-Sea, UK; 2008.
Okon KO, Moses AE, Zailani SB, et al. Prevalence of human intestinal parasites in a semi-arid area of Nigeria: A five-year review. Nigerian Journal of Experimental Zoology. 2003;17:503-24.
Okon O, Oku E. Prevalence of intestinal parasites among school children in two contrasting communities in Cross River state, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology. 2001;22:117. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v22i1.37768
Okpala HO, Josiah SJ, Oranekwulu MU, et al. Prevalence of intestinal parasites among children in day care centres in Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Medical Science. 2014;6:34-9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.19026/ajms.6.4852
Okyay P, Ertug S, Gultekin B, et al. Intestinal parasites prevalence and related factors in school children, a western city sample-Turkey. BMC Public Health. 2004;4:64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-4-64
Punsawad C, Phasuk N, Bunratsami S, et al. Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection and associated risk factors among village health volunteers in rural communities of southern Thailand. BMC Public Health. 2017;17:564. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4486-2
Quihui L, Valencia ME, Crompton DW. Role of the employment status and education of mothers in the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in Mexican rural schoolchildren. BMC Public Health. 2006;6:225. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-6-225
Saab BR, Musharrafieh U, Nassar NT, et al. Intestinal parasites among presumably healthy individuals in Lebanon. Saudi Med J 2004;25:34-7.
Sayyari AA, Imanzadeh F, Bagheri Yazdi SA, et al. Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in the Islamic Republic of Iran. EMHJ. 2001;11:377-83.
Strunz EC, Addiss DG, Stocks ME, et al. Water, sanitation, hygiene, and soil–transmitted helminth infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Medicine. 2014;11:e1001620. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001620
Usip LPE, Mathew E. The prevalence of intestinal helminths and the efficacy of antihelminthic (pyrantel) drug among primary school children in Obot Akara, Obot Akara Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. People Journal of Public Health and Management. 2015;3:46-55.
World Health Organization. Intestinal Worms, 2014. Available from: http://www.who.int/intestinal_worms/epidemiology/en/.
Zaglool DA, Khodari YA, Gazzaz ZJ, et al. Prevalence of intestinal parasites among patients of Al-Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. OMJ. 2011;26:182-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5001/omj.2011.44

How to Cite

Ugboaja, F., Etefia, E., Akpan, S. S., & Asuquo, B. (2024). Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitoses among residents of Ekemkpon and Idim Ita of Cross River State, Nigeria. Microbiologia Medica, 39(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/mm.2024.11288
Copyright (c) 2024 the Author(s) Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

PAGEPress has chosen to apply the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0) to all manuscripts to be published.