Gastrointestinal Infections and Risk Factors in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Keywords:
Gastrointestinal parasites, drinking water, Ogbia, Praziquantel, Bayelsa StateAbstract
This study was carried out from October to December, 2025 to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections among inhabitants in Kolo III community in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Two hundred and thirty-six (236) faecal samples were collected randomly and examined using the standard operating procedure of the formol-ether concentration technique. The results showed an overall prevalence of 56(24.15%). The prevalence was higher in males, 35(27.56%), than in females, 22(20.37%). The age group between 12 and 16 years had the highest prevalence rate of 26(54.11%). This is followed by ages 7-11 years 10(47.62%), Age bracket 17-21 years recording 11(35.48%), 42-46 years recording 2(25.0%), while the least was recorded in age brackets 32-36 with 1(4.71%) in this order. Age brackets 27-31, 37-41 years and 47 years and above recorded zero prevalence. The difference in infection rate between sexes and age groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Ascaris lumbricoides had the highest prevalence rate of 21(8.89%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica, Strongloides stercoralis, Hookworm, Schistosoma mansoni and Diphyllobothrium latum with 9(3.81%), 9(3.81%), 7(2.97%), 6(2.54%) and 3(1.27%), respectively. The study revealed a high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in the study area. Factors such as lack of social amenities, poor environmental sanitation, poor sanitation of the rural environment, low access to clean drinking water, inadequate sewer drainage, source of drinking water, toilet facilities, washing of hands after using the toilets, washing of hands before meals, pattern of waste disposal and washing of hands after waste disposal were observed to enhance the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in the area. Therefore, there is a need for effective control measures such as massive chemotherapy, provision of adequate social amenities, especially portable drinking water, improved sanitation and personal hygiene, as well as educating the people on the effects of these parasites.
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