Prevalence study on enteric protozoans responsible for diarrhoea in patients attending Local Health Centres in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

Protozoan causes of diarrhoea in children of ages between 1–12 years attending Local Health Centers (LHC’^S) in Maiduguri was determined using the formol –ether concentration, between July – December, 2003. Of the 150 stool samples examined 108 (72.0%) were infected with Giardia lamblia, 81 (75.0%); Entamoeba histolytica, 19 (17.6%) and Balantidium coli, 8 (7.4%) (p< 0.05). Among the ages grouped as < 6 years and > 6yrs the infection rates were 59 (71.9%) and 49 (72.1%) respectively (p>0.05).Children that were < 6 years had prevalence of infections with G. lamblia, as 45 (76.3%), E. histolytica, 12 (20.3%) and B. coli, 2 (3.4%) (p<0.05) while those at > 6 years had G. lambia, 36 (73.5%); E. histolytica, 7 (14.3%) and B. coli, 6 (12.3%) (p<0.05). Male children were more infected 61 (75.0%) with G. lamblia, 43 (70.5%); E. histolytica, 11 (18.0%) and B. coli, 7 (11.5%), compared to female children with 47 (68.1%) comprising of G. lamblia, 38 (80.9); E. histolytica, 8 (17.0%) and B. coli, 1 (2.1%) (p<0.05). Regarding the monthly distribution of infection, all the three parasitic species occurred all through the period of study with higher prevalence for G. lamblia and lowest for B. coli.