Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoa Infections Among Some Primary School Pupils in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State, Nigeria

Abstract

The prevalence of intestinal protozoa infections among primary school pupils in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State, Nigeria was investigated. Stool samples were collected from 450 pupils aged 5–13 years from six (6) primary schools in the Local Government Area. A structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant demographic and risk factor data associated with intestinal protozoa infections. The stool samples were processed using the formol-ether concentration technique and microscopically examined for protozoan cysts; 10.7 % of the stool samples were positive for the cysts. The prevalences of intestinal protozoa were: 4.9 % for Entamoeba histolytica, 3.7 % for Entamoeba coli and 2.1 % for Balantidium coli. The prevalence of infection by protozoa in individual schools was not uniform despite the similarity in the local topography and weather conditions. Demographic data of age, sex and nature of school attended (public or private), were recorded at the point of sample collection. The age range prevalence for intestinal protozoa recorded 4.9%, 4% and 1.8% for 5-7 years, 8-10 years and 11-13 years respectively. More male pupils (6.4%) were infected compared to the females (4.3%). The laboratory analysis further revealed that prevalence was more among pupils that attend public school (7.1%) than those in private schools (3.6%). Poverty, ignorance and poor environmental sanitation were factors found to be associated with the prevalence rates recorded. It is therefore recommended that a concerted health education effort is necessary in order to curb the infections within the schools and the communities.