ABSTRACT

A study was undertaken to detennine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in two Local Government Areas in Cross River State, Nigeria between the months of September and November, 2014, using formal ether concentration technique to process the faecal samples. A total of six hundered (600) persons within the different age groups made up of 365 females and 244 males were examined for the presence of parasites. Of this riumber, 321 were infected, giving an overall prevalence of 53.5%. Six parasite species were observed. They are: Entamoeba coli 82(13.6%), Entamoeba histolytica 56(9.3%), Ascaris lumbricoides 60(10.0%), Taenia species 64(10.6%), Hookworm 39(6.5%), Trichuris trichiura 20(3.3%), More females 191(53.65%) than males 130(53.25%) were infected. The age group 0-9 years recorded the highest prevalence of l 00%. Based on occupation, the unemployed recorded the highest prevalence of78.8%. With respect to educational status, people with no formal education had the highest prevalence of 64.8%. Regarding marital status,' the widowed showed the highest prevalence of 67.0%. Based on location, Nsidung and Bayside recorded the highest prevalence of 64.0% and 61.0% respectively. Regarding the different sources of water, individuals that depend wholly on streams and rivers recorded the highest prevalence of 76.5% and 74.2% respectively. Based of the sources of food, those that trap their meat recorded the highest prevalence of 66. 7%. Individuals that defaecate in nearby bushes recorded the highest prevalence of76.6%. Regarding personal hygiene, individuals that do not practice personal hygiene recorded the highest prevalence of 94.1 %. Based on knowledge about intestinal parasite existence, individuals that responded negatively to parasite existence had the highest prevalence of 86.7%. Regarding mode of transmission, transmission through infected water had the highest prevalence of 72.6%. Individuals that treat themselves with herbs recorded the highest prevalence of93.6%.