Authors

V Pam¹; P N James²; D D Pam ¹ Federal University Lafia,Nassarawa State,Nigeria, Nigeria;  ² Plateau State University,Bokkos,Plateau State Nigeria, Nigeria;  ³ University of Jos, Nigeria

Discussion

Intestinal parasitic infections are the most common parasitic infections affecting man and can result to important morbility or mortality in infected individuals. Intestinal parasites are common in resource-poor communities where they are also associated with considerable economic loss. From the 100 patients examined in Plateau State Specialist Hospital (PSSH), 22.0% tested positive to intestinal parasites while 6.0% WAS reported for Vom Christian Hospital (VCH). The prevalence of intestinal parasites in PSSH revealed a high prevalence with Ascaris lumbricoides (31.82%) followed by Taenia spp (31.82%), Hookworm (18.18%), S. starcoralis (9.09%), the least prevalence was observed with B. Coli and Entamoeba histolytica with (4.55%) respectively, on the contrary Vom Christian hospital had a higher prevalence of Hookworm (50.0%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (33.33%) but lower of Taenia spp (16.67%). Our results in relation to sex in plateau state specialist hospital (PSSH) shows that the female 12(54.54%) recorded higher prevalence than the male 10(45.45%) on the other hand we observed high prevalence in the female 4(66.67%) than the male 2(33.33%) in Vom Christain hospital. The prevalence of intestinal parasite in relation to age in PSSH shows high level among age group 11-20years 9(36%) and the least among age group 21-30years 7(19.44). On the contrary VCH shows high level among age group 31-40years with 2(9.09%) and the least among 11-20years with 1(4%). exposure among that particular age group.The result in relation to water source in patients attending PSSH shows that the boreholes sources 66.67% had high prevalence followed by dug well 17.5% the least prevalence was observed with the source from the tap 7.89%, while VCH shows that streams/rivers 16.67% revealed high prevalence followed by borehole 13.64%. This prevalence is directly related to the sanitary condition, socio-economic status, educational level, the age and hygienic habits of the patients. Thus, necessary sanitary policies, awareness, screening and de-worming exercises and occasional check of intestinal parasites are recommended.