Giardiasis and its associated risk factors among school children in selected rural communities in south eastern Nigeria
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2018
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
De La Salle University, Manilla, Philippines
Abstract
The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of giardiasis among school children in Afikpo North Local
Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The study was carried out from June to October, 2015. Direct smear, iodine
wet mounts, and the formol-ether concentration technique were used to analyze the stool samples. Out of 600 stool
samples from pupils aged 5-16 years from six primary schools examined, 30 (5.0%) were infected. The prevalence rate
was higher among males (5.7%) than among females (4.8%), although the difference was not statistically significant
(χ2
= 0.91, df = 1, p > 0.05). Pupils in the 8- to 10-year age group had the highest prevalence (5.8%, n = 260),
while those in the age group of 11-13 years had the lowest prevalence (3.9%, n = 230). Similarly, pupils in
primary 2 had the highest prevalence (7.1%, n = 170) while those in primary 6 had the lowest (2.5%, n = 80).
Infection was higher among children whose parents were traders (11.7%, n = 120) and farmers (10.0%, n =
100, than among those whose parents were civil servants (1.6%, n = 380). There was a significant statistical
differene in the prevalence of giardiasis with respect to occupation of parents of these children (χ2
= 25.85,
df = 2, p < 0.05). On the sources of drinking water, children who drank rain and stream water recorded high
prevalence rates of (6.3% n = 270) and (5.7% (n = 230), respectively. There was statistically significant
difference in the prevalence of giardiasis with respect to the sources of water (χ2
= 6.42, df = 2, p < 0.05).
These findings indicate that giardiasis was prevalent among school children in Afikpo. It is recommended that
adequate health education and sanitary measures be carried out in order to decrease the rate of Giardia infection
in school children.
Description
Keywords
Prevalence, Ebonyi, Giardia lamblia, school children
Citation
Giardiasis, associated risk factors, school children