Prevalence and Predictors of Entamoeba histolytica Infection among School-age Children in Wamakko Local Government Area, Sokoto State Nigeria

Abstract

Entamoeba histolytica is an important protozoan of man, it is the third most common and widespread parasitic cause of death world-wide. Aims:  The study was aimed at determining the prevalence and predictors of Entamoeba histolytica among primary school children in Wamakko Local Government area of Sokoto state. Study Design: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted among school-aged children, in Wamakko Local Government Area, Sokoto State, between May 2016 to November 2017. Methodology: Faecal samples were collected from three hundred and seventy-one (371) pupils and analysed using direct wet smear and Formol Ether Concentration Technique. Results: The overall prevalence was found to be 211 (56.9%). Although more males pupils are infected with 50.5% than a female with 49.6%, the difference was not statistically significant (p-value = 0.330). The higher prevalence of infection obtained from males pupils might be attributed to male children being more engaged in extracurricular activities such as recreational activities and games. With regards to age groups used in the study, 29 pupils within age group of 14-15 years, 19 (65.5%) were found to be infected with E. histolytica and has the highest prevalence of infection, this was attributed to the fact that being older they engaged in activities such as assisting their parent in farming like irrigation, taking manure to farm etc. Conclusion: The findings of the study reveals that there was a high prevalence of E. histolytica in the study area and is still a major public health problem in north-western Nigeria. This also showed that personal hygiene, environmental sanitation and poor access to safe water contributes to transmission of E. histolytica in the study area. It also reveals that the control measures taken are not effective and this could be among the difficulties encounter for the control of amoebiasis in the study area. Great success toward the control of the infection can be achieved through the integration of complementary strategies by government agencies and non-governmental organisations such as disease surveillance, mass chemotherapy, health education, construction and use of toilets in all primary schools, religious centres, markets and the general public sanitation.