ABSTRACT

Parasitic infections abound worldwide. The environment, the climate, the social behaviour and economic factors make developing countries more vulnerable to parasitic infections compared to developed countries. A cross-sectional study was conducted between the months of December 2017-May 2018 to determine the prevalence of parasitic infections in Obizi Amakama Olokoro, rural settlement in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia state. Three different sample types (blood, urine and stool) were collected and analyzed following standard laboratory procedures. Faecal samples were analyzed using the Formol-Ether Concentration technique, urine samples were analyzed using Centrifugal Sedimentation method and blood samples were analyzed using Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and microscopy (gold standard). Sociodemographic data was collected using structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using the Pearson’s Chi-square, using the PAST Statistical package. The results of this study recorded an overall blood parasitic prevalence of (32.4%), with Plasmodium falciparum recording the highest prevalence of (28.2%) by RDT and (30.6%) by microscopy and Tyrpanosoma brucei gambiense occurring as mixed infection, having the lowest prevalence (1.8%).Schistosoma haematobiumhad a prevalence of (3.9%). The following intestinal parasites occurred, with Ascaris lumbricoides, recording the highest prevalence (14.4%), Hookworm (2.1%), Taenia saginata (0.7%), Schistosoma mansoni (3.5%), Enterobius vermicularis (1.1%), Trichuris trichura (1.4%), Chilomastixmensnili (1.8%), Entamoebacoli (0.4%).  Mixed infections occurred, the combination of Hookworm and Taenia saginataoccurred most as mixed infection (1.8%), the combination of Ascarislumbricoides occurred as mixed infection with Taeniasaginata (1.1%), Fasciola hepatica and Schistosoma mansoni recorded a prevalence of (0.7%), Balatidium hominis and Enterobius vermicularis recorded a prevalence of (0.7%). Parasites distribution was found to be statistically significant with respect to age, occupation and the use of ITNs. The prevalence of blood parasites with respect to gender and age was statistically insignificant P = 0.16 and P = 0.2, and statistically insignificant with respect to occupation 0.00 with (P ≥ 0.05) indicating significance. Plasmodium falciparum was statistically significant with respect to the use of ITNs 0.01. Urinary parasites were found to be statistically significant with respect to gender 0.01, age 0.00 and occupation 0.00. Intestinal parasites were not statistically significant with respect to gender 0.20, but were statistically significant with respect to age 0.00 and occupation 0.00. Fever, fatigue, blood in urine and stool, diarrhoea were the signs of ill health reported. The participants gave reasons for their non-use of ITNs, some of which were cost and availability of purchase and discomfort during night rest. The results from this work have shown that Plasmodium falciparum is still a thriving issue in terms of parasitic diseases recording the highest prevalence of blood parasitic infections and parasitic infections in general (32.4%). Parasitic infections are endemic in the study area.