North American Journal of Medical Sciences

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2011  |  Volume : 3  |  Issue : 10  |  Page : 462--464

Prevalence of intestinal parasites among patients of a tertiary hospital in Benin city, Nigeria


Frederick Olusegun Akinbo1, Richard Omoregie2, Ruth Eromwon2, Isaac Ohiorenuan Igbenimah3, Uyi-Ekpen Airueghiomon3 
1 Department of Pathology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
2 School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
3 Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Frederick Olusegun Akinbo
Department of Pathology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Pmb 1111, Benin City, Edo State,
Nigeria

Background : Intestinal parasitic infections have been described as constituting the greatest single worldwide cause of illness and disease. Aim : The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in relation to sex and age as well as seasons of the year in Benin city, Nigeria. Materials and Methods : The stool samples were processed using saline and iodine mounts and examined microscopically for ova and cysts of parasites. Results : The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 3.9% while gender and season had no correlation with the prevalence of intestinal parasites (P = 0.548, P = 0.696). There was a significant relationship between intestinal parasitic infection and age (P < 0.033). Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent (51.4%) while Entamoeba histolytica had the least prevalence (5.4%). Conclusion : The results of this study concluded that 36 patients were infected with various intestinal parasites and that age significantly affected the prevalence of parasitic infections. Effective treatment of infected patients and improved sanitary habits is advocated.


How to cite this article:
Akinbo FO, Omoregie R, Eromwon R, Igbenimah IO, Airueghiomon UE. Prevalence of intestinal parasites among patients of a tertiary hospital in Benin city, Nigeria.North Am J Med Sci 2011;3:462-464


How to cite this URL:
Akinbo FO, Omoregie R, Eromwon R, Igbenimah IO, Airueghiomon UE. Prevalence of intestinal parasites among patients of a tertiary hospital in Benin city, Nigeria. North Am J Med Sci [serial online] 2011 [cited 2023 Mar 27 ];3:462-464
Available from: https://www.najms.org/article.asp?issn=1947-2714;year=2011;volume=3;issue=10;spage=462;epage=464;aulast=Akinbo;type=0