Prevalence of Parasitic Infections amongst Children In-Patients in Maiduguri; Northeastern Nigeria

¹*Aisha, H. and ²Biu, A.A.

¹Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Airport Road, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

²Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

E-mail: hamzaaisha03@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

A prevalence study on parasitic infections amongst children in – patients at the Umaru Shehu Hospital, Maiduguri, was conducted between June, 2010 and June 2012 using direct and concentration method for faecal parasites and thin blood films for haemoparasites. Out of the 2630 parasites examined 2180 (82.9%) were infected with Plasmodium species, Entamoeba histolytica, Ascaris lumbricoides, Giardia lamblia, Ancylostoma duodenale and Enterobius vermicularis represented as 710(32.5%), 490(22.4%), 410(18.8%), 230(10.5%), 210(9.6%) and 130(7.7%)prevalence rates respectively (p<0.05). Sex wise prevalence indicated that male had 700(32.1%) and females had 1480(67.8%) (p<0.05). Age-wise, children between zero and 6 years had 113(5.2%) prevalence which was significant (p<0.05) compared to those >6 years with 2067(94.8%). Based on stool consistency diarrhoiec children showed a higher prevalence of 1134(52.0%) than non diarrhoiec children with 1046(47.9%) (p>0.05).