Global Advanced Research Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences (GARJMMS) ISSN: 2315-5159
October 2018, Vol. 7(8), pp. 160-164
Copyright © 2018 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Article

Age and Gender Differences in Prevalence and Pattern of Parasitic Helminthes among Students Living in Hostels of a Tertiary Institution in South Eastern Nigeria

Oladejo SO¹, Owolabi DO², Ajibola A³, Kone JK⁴, Ogunbiyi FO⁵, Oguntola EA⁶ and Ajileye B⁷

¹Department of Remote Sensing and GIS, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
²Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ondo State University Science and Technology, Okitipupa Nigeria.
³The Medical Rehabilitation Therapist (Registration) Board of Nigeria. P O. BOX 3728 Surulere Yaba, Lagos Nigeria.
⁴Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Ondo State School of Health Technology, Akure. Ondo State. Nigeria.
⁵Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Akure. Ondo State. Nigeria.
⁶Department of Biology Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
⁷Department of Chemistry, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, PMB 1033, Owerri, Imo State Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: sooladejo@futa.edu.ng, sundayoladejo001@yahoo.com; Tel: +2348137770123

Accepted 14 September, 2018

Abstract

This study determined the pattern and prevalence of parasitic helminthes among students living in the hostel of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education in Southwestern Nigeria. This school based descriptive cross sectional study was part of the large data collection during the student’s periodic examination screening of students between June and September 2016. A total of 45 students who were positive for the diagnosis of helminthiasis were assessed for the type, prevalence and gender and age difference in the distribution of these parasitic helminthiasis. Using direct saline smear and formol-ether concentration methods, we microscopically examined stool specimens for the presence of eggs, cysts and trophozoites of intestinal parasites. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software. Out of a total of 132 students who were screened, 45 (34.1%) had parasites. Out of this, 18.9% had single infection. The ova of tapeworm constituted the least while Ascaris and hookworm constituted the highest among the parasites. The age group 21 to 40 years had the highest prevalence (about 42.0%) among the male and (about 70.0%) among the females. Generally, female were more infected (Figure 1) across all age groups compared to males according, though the difference in age with parasite prevalence was not statistically significant (p-0.341). For gender, E. Histolytica had the highest prevalence among both male and female, and the least with Tapeworm. Except for E Histolytica and Giardia Lamblia, females also had a higher parasite prevalence compared to male though the difference was also not statistically significant (p-0.016). A significant prevalence of intestinal parasites were found among studied respondents, Measures such as health education, personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, and improvement in water supply should be put in place to reduce disease prevalence.

Keywords: Intestinal parasites, students, prevalence, socio-demographic factors, Nigeria

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