ABSTRACT

 The study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of intestinal parasite in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Clinic, in Abia State, Nigeria, and also its associated risk factors. Stool samples from 150 patients were screened for presence of intestinal protozoan and helminth parasite, using the fbrmol-ether concentration technique. Out of 150 stool samples, a total of 120(80%) were found to be positive for intestinal parasites, seven parasites were identified in these study which comprise of, Ascaris lumbricoides 53 (44.16%), hookworm 49(40.83%), Enlamoba histolytica 38(31.67%), Giardia lamblia 7(5.83), Taenia specie 6 (5%), Entamoeba coli 13 (10.83%), Trichuris trichuria 4 (3,33%). Mixed infections were more common in this study with 61(50.83%) samples with Ascaris lumbricoides + hookworm 17(11.33%), Hookworm -\-Entamoeba Histolytica 16 (10.67%) andAscaris lumbricoides + Entamoeba histolytica 8(5.33%) as the common mixed infections found. Patients within the range 30-44 years had the highest prevalence of 18(83.33%) closely followed by those within the range of < 14 years having 22(81.81%) of prevalence. Regarding their clinic status, the out-patient section had a higher prevalence 136(81.61%) than the in-patient section 14(64.28%). Also, regarding their locations, those who live off campuses have a higher prevalence 105(83.80%) than those that live in the hostels 45(71.11%). With respect to their marital status, married patients had a higher prevalence 29(82.75%) than single patient 121(79.34%) prevalence. Generally, infection was higher in males 72(80.56%) than females 78(79.48%) which is be due to their ignorance, activities and low sanitary and hygienic condition. The risk factors associated with the disease is concerned with its contamination and transmission in and around the respondents community which is predominantly related to human habits with regards to their personal hygiene, water source, defaecation and cleanliness. Its prevalence regarding to the toilet type result to 37(86.67%) which is for those that indicated open/pit latrine and 113(77.87%) for those using water system latrine. Its prevalence regarding to personal hygiene shows 75(80%) among those that indicated proper handwashing habits were also infected. Also, its prevalence regarding to water source showed that prevalence was higher among those who used stream and borehole as their source of drinking water and least in those that use bottled water. This calls for an urgent need of provisions ofsanitary facilities, proper waste disposal and periodic deworming program to reduce morbidity rate and also health education on the need of practicing personal hygiene to avoid subsequent infections.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page

Declaration

Certification iii

Dedication 

Acknowledgment

Table of content

List of Tables viii

List of Plates

Abstract xi

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction 1

Statement ofproblem 2

1.2 Aim and objectives 2

1.3 Literature review 2

1.3.1 The risk factors associated with human parasitic infection in man 3

1.3.2. Life cycle symptoms and prevention of helminthes parasite 5

1.3.3 Life cycle symptoms and prevention ofprotozoan parasite 11

1.3.4 Laboratory diagnosis ofintestinal parasite 15

1.3.5 Prevention and control ofintestinal parasite 16

1.3.6 Health Education 16

CHAPTER TWO

MATERIALS AND METHOD

2.0 Study Area 17

2.1 Material 17

2.2 Methodology

2.2.1 Collection of data

2.2.3 Administration of questionnaires 18

2.2.4 Examination ofparasite 18

2.2.5 Statistical analysis

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Results

CHAPTER FOUR

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

4.1 Discussion 31

4.2 Conclusion 39

4.3 Recommendation 39

Reference 40

Appendix

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1: The Overall prevalence of intestinal parasite in the study area in Michael Okpara

university ofAgriculture Umudike , clinic.

TABLE 2: Age — Related Preference ofIntestinal parasite In Michael Okpara University of

Agriculture Umudike, Clinic.

TABLE 3.1: Intestinal Parasite specie Distribution Among Patients attending Michael Okpara

University OfAgriculture Umudike, Clinic.

TABLE 3.2: Intestinal Parasite specie Distribution ofmixed infections Among Patients attending

Michael Okpara University OF Agriculture Umudike, Clinic.

TABLE 4: Sex-related prevalence rates

TABLE 5: Prevalence ofintestinal parasites with respect to their location

TABLE 6: Prevalence ofintestinal parasites with respect to their marital status

TABLE 7: Prevalence ofintestinal parasites with respect to their clinic status.

TABLE 8a&b: Distribution of human intestinal parasitic Infections among patients ofMOUAU

Clinic in relation to their Socio demographic characteristics.

LIST OF FIGURES

- FIG 1 Life cycle ofAscaris Lunibricoides. 7

FIG 2 Life cycle of Taenia specie. 9

FIG 3 Life cycle ofHookworm 11

FIG 4 Life cycle of Giardia lamblia. 13

FIG 5 Life cycle ofEntamoeba histolytica. 15

LIST OF PLATES

Plate 1- Giardia laniblia. 42

Plate 2- Ovum ofHookworm 43

Plate 3- Cyst ofEntamoeba histolytica. 44

Plate 4- Egg of Taenia specie 45

Plate 5- Egg ofEntamoeba coli. 46

Plate 6- fertilized egg of Ascaris lumbricoids 47