Prevalence and Risk Factors of Intestinal Protozoan Infections among Secondary School Students in Wukari Metropolis, Taraba State, Nigeria
Article Sidebar
Page Numbers:
12-23
Digital Object Identifier:
10.58578/kijst.v3i1.8286
Viewed: 146 times
Downloaded: 105 times
LYAS Publisher cordially invites qualified professionals to serve as Editors or Reviewers. Your expertise will make an important contribution to maintaining and strengthening the academic quality of our publications. Interested applicants are kindly requested to complete the application form at the following link: Editors & Reviewers
Please feel free to contact us if you need any further information about the submission process or if you have any additional questions.
Authors:Joseph T. R.1, Mijah A. K.2, Elizabeth A.3, Ogbadu J. I4, Agbakyeni H.E5, Agere H.I.J.6
Copyright :Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication.
Main Article Content
Abstract
Intestinal protozoan infections continue to pose public health challenges among school-aged children in developing regions, particularly where sanitation, water quality, and hygiene practices are inadequate. This study assessed the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal protozoan infections among secondary school students in Wukari Metropolis, Taraba State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was used to sample 400 students from five public secondary schools. Stool samples were examined using direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques, while structured questionnaires assessed demographic characteristics, hygiene behaviour, sanitation practices, and knowledge levels. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests at a 5% significance level. The overall prevalence of intestinal protozoa was 6.75% (95% CI: 4.5–9.0%), comprising Giardia lamblia (3.25%) and Entamoeba histolytica (3.50%). Maramara Government Day and Yakasaen Government Day Schools recorded the highest prevalence (10.0% each), while Government Day School had the lowest (2.5%). The difference in prevalence across schools was not statistically significant (χ² = 5.864; p = 0.661), indicating that risk factors are likely widespread across the metropolis rather than localized within specific schools. Several behavioural and environmental factors contributed to infection risk, including inconsistent handwashing before meals (38.15%), use of unsafe water sources such as streams (9.98%), and open defecation at home (19.95%) and in schools (12.22%). Knowledge gaps were substantial, as 62.84% of students were unaware of intestinal parasites, while 52.12% did not understand transmission routes. Domestic animal ownership (63.53%), irregular footwear use, and low deworming history further increased susceptibility. The findings demonstrate a moderate burden of intestinal protozoa driven by modifiable risk factors. Strengthening school-based health education, improving sanitation facilities, ensuring access to safe water, and implementing routine deworming programs are essential to reducing protozoal transmission and improving student health outcomes in Wukari Metropolis.
Citation Metrics:
Downloads
Article Details
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
References
Aribodor, D. N., Eneanya, O. A., & Obidike, I. R. (2019). Prevalence of intestinal parasites in rural communities of southeastern Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, 40(1), 55–62.
Gelaw, A., Anagaw, B., Nigussie, B., et al. (2020). Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated risk factors among schoolchildren in Northwest Ethiopia. BMC Research Notes, 13, Article 36. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-019-4867-2
Gobena, T., Tafere, G., & Abera, A. (2024). Protozoan pathogens among diarrheic children under five: A cross-sectional study. American Journal of Health Research, 12(3), 245–253. https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580241242784
Hajissa, K., Shiferaw, Y., et al. (2022). Prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasites among school children in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasites & Vectors, 15, Article 171. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-022-05327-y
Haque, R. (2020). Human intestinal parasites and their clinical implications. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 33(3), e00088-19. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.00088-19
Iliyasu, H. Z., Garba, S., & Sani, A. (2022). Prevalence and determinants of intestinal parasitic infections among children in Kano State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, 43(2), 120–130.
Mekonnen, E., Gebrie, A., & Abebe, E. (2024). Human intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors in Harari Region, Ethiopia. Journal of Parasitology Research, 2024, Article 9986078. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/9986078
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). (2023). Nigeria Demographic and Health Indicators Report 2023.
Smith, J., & Lee, R. (2022). Health literacy and disease vulnerability among adolescents in low-income settings. Global Health Research and Policy, 7(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-022-00269-5
Stanley, S. L. (2022). Amoebiasis: Clinical epidemiology and global burden. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 22(4), e102–e113. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(21)00305-X
Teshale, A., Belay, G., Jemal, A., & Worku, A. (2023). Sanitation and hygiene conditions in public schools and their association with intestinal parasitic infections. BMC Public Health, 23, Article 1182. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16361-5
Tesfaw, M., Getaneh, A., & Gizaw, F. (2024). Prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections and associated risk factors in Northwest Ethiopia. Parasite Epidemiology and Control, 18, e00315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parepi.2024.e00315
World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Intestinal protozoan infections: Global burden and prevention strategies.