PREVALENCE OF HUMAN GASTRO-INTESTINAL PARASITES IN

BIU, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

*Biu, A.A., Kofur, I. and Mohammed .A.

Department Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology,

University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

E-mail:  biuvet@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Coprological study of gastrointestinal helminths of Biu Local Government residents was conducted between 2001 and 2002 using sedimentation, formol-ether concentration and floatation techniques. Of the 100 stool samples examined, 20(20.0%) harboured various species of gastrointestinal helminths. Hookworm infection was the most prevalent 10(50%) followed respectively by Schistosoma mansoni 6(30%); Hymenolepis nana 3(15%) and Ascaris lumbricoides 1(5%). The prevalence of the gastrointestinal helminths however, varied according to the age of the people examined with those aged between 7-24 years being most commonly infected 13(24.5%) compared to >24- 36, and >36- 50 ages with 5(15.1%) and 2(14.2%) respectively (p<0.05%). Similarly, females had a higher prevalence of 8(20.5%) compared to their male counterparts with 12(19.6%) (p>0.05).