PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

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PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Parasitic infestations are common in Nigeria especially in rural areas. One fact is that these infections have been associated with low standard of sanitation and between 500 million and 1 billion people are estimated to be infected annually worldwide (WHO,1992; Taiwo and Agbolade,2000; Adeyeba and Akinlabi,2002).

It is recognized that certain factors play important roles which include: the strain and number of the parasites, age and level of immunity at the time of infestation, immune responses to the infestations,presence of co-existing diseases or conditions which reduce immune responses, malnutritional undertone due to iron deficiency, folic acid and protein deficiency. This could occur singly or in combination with other causative agents (McGregoret al., 1996).

Intestinal parasites are parasites that populate the gastro- intestinal tract. In humans, they are often spread by poor hygiene related to faeces, contact with animals or poorly cooked food containing parasites. The major groups of parasites include protozoans (organisms having only one cell) and parasitic worms (Helminthes) of these, Protozoans, including Cryptosporidium, Micrsporidium and Isospora are most common in HIV-infected persons. Other are Entamoebahistolytica, Balatidium coli,Giardia lambliaetc, each of these parasites can infect the digestive tract, and sometimes two or more can cause infection at the same time.

Human intestinal helminthic parasites are worms that inhabit the body lumens of the gut (Agboladeet al., 2004), they are among the most common infection occurring throughout the developing world. Intestinal parasites are regarded as important public health problem in tropical Africa (Odutanet al.,1974).These parasites are amongst the most prevalent human infections affecting approximately one quarter of the world’s populations, mainly school children due to their poor hygienic nature or poor sanitary conditions coupled with their voracious eating habits( WHO,2002).

Parasites can get into the intestine through the mouth from uncooked or unwashed food, contaminated water or hands or by skin contact with larva infection soil. People can also become infected with intestinal parasites if they have mouth contact with the genital or rectal area of a sexual partner who is infected (e.g. oral sex or anal-oral contact). When the organisms are swallowed, they move into the intestine, where they reproduce and cause disease.

In some people, intestinal parasites do not cause any symptoms or the symptoms may come and go. Common signs and complaints include coughing, cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence and diarrhea. In more serious diminished sex drive, skin-itching, fever, nausea, vomiting or bloody stools may occur. Some parasites also cause low red blood count (anemia) and some travel from the lungs to the intestinal or vice versa and other parts of the body. Therefore, laboratory test are necessary to determine their cause.

However, because many parasitic infections especially those of helminthes origin are usually asymptomatic or produce only mild symptoms, they are often neglected until serious complications or chronic clinical pictures appear (WHO,2002).The presence of these parasites in asymptomatic carriers has been a major source of infection to susceptible hosts, hence compounding the problem.

In endemic countries, gastro-intestinal infections are most prevalent in rural communities, peri-urban settings and urban slims (Fashyiet al., 1999). Although, intestinal parasites could be considered as major problem in rural settlements in Nigeria due to their poor socio-economic status and lack of basic amenities such as water, toilets facilities etc. the problems of these infections are also increasing in the urban areas due to similar deficiencies.

In Nigeria, many intervention schemes which were attempted to control these infections did not yield much successes, many are still heavily infected particularly children (Ijagbone and Olagunju,2006). In view of the negative socio-economic impact of these parasitic infections on infected humans, efforts would be made to elucidate their epidemiological state among pupils. Therefore the study was carried out to know the prevalence and types of intestinal parasites infection among the children, the intensity of infection and to draw the attention of the local authority to the rate of infection so as to eradicate the problem among the children.

Statement of the problem

There may have been previous researches in this subject. This work gives further explanations and analysis in prevalence of intestinal parasites among primary school children

Objectives of the study

To understand the impact of intestinal parasites on the health status of primary school pupils
To understand the relationship between intestinal parasites and the health status of primary school pupils
- Research questions
What is the impact of intestinal parasites on the health status of primary school pupils
What is the relationship between intestinal parasites and the health status of primary school pupils