Intestinal parasitic infections and risk factors: a cross-sectional survey of some school children in a suburb in Accra, Ghana

Autor: Akua Obeng Forson, Isaac Arthur, Michael Olu-Taiwo, Kathrine Korkor Glover, Prince Jonathan Pappoe-Ashong, Patrick F. Ayeh-Kumi
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2017
Předmět:
Zdroj: BMC Research Notes, Vol 10, Iss 1, Pp 1-5 (2017)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1756-0500
DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2802-7
Popis: Abstract Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence and establish some risk factors associated with the acquisition of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in school children in Accra, Ghana. Results The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was 15%. Giardia lamblia (10%) and Schistosoma mansoni (1.7%) were the common parasites found. Out of the 15% students postive for intestinal parasites, 13.6% had single parasites and 1.3% had double parasitic infections. Children between the ages of 4–5 and 6–7 years (20% each) had the most parasitic infections. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was not significantly related to gender (p = 0.1451), and source of drinking water (p = 0.8832). However, a statistically significant association between children infected with parasites and close proximity to domestic animals or pets was observed (p = 0.0284). Continuous education on personal hygiene, environmental sanitation and deworming of domestic animals or pets are required to reduce the prevalence of intestinal parasites in school children in Accra.
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