Comparative Epidemiological Studies of Polyparasitism in Some Rural and Urban Settlements of Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Alaku I. A., Galadima A.A. and Sani Danladi

Department of Basic Sciences

College of Agriculture, Lafia, Nasarawa State,

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the prevalence of polyparasitism in some urban and rural communities in Nasarawa State and factors influencing such infections. A total of 1048 urine and stool sample were randomly collected and taken to Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Laboratory for examination. Urine samples were collected between 10:00am and 2:00pm and were processed for urinary schistosomiasis. Urine sedimentation technique method was used. Findings showed that parasite infections were more prevalence in rural areas than urban areas with age group 21 – 30 having the highest rate of infection of 64(50%). For stool examination, wet preparations were made using normal saline, iodine solution and formal ethyl concentration techniques method used. Intestinal parasites were identified, but Entamoeba histolytical were commonly observed. Statistically there was no significance in the occurrence of parasites trends (P>0.05). Female had the prevalence (46.42%) than the males (38.88%) and age specific prevalence showed that those age 11 – 15 years of had the prevalence (42.30%). In the whole, 398 (37.97%) were infected while 650 (62.02%) were freed. This study justified the need for early intervention measures such as community based treatment campaigns and health education (df=1 P<0.05).Keyword: Polyparasitism, prevalence, epidemiology, intervention