Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Intestinal Amoebiasis among Asymptomatic School Children in the Ho Municipality, South-eastern Ghana
Christopher Yaw Dumevi
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, P. O. Box KB 4236, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana and Department of Physician Assistantship Studies, School of Medical Sciences, Central University, P. O. Box 2305, Miotso, Accra, Ghana.
Victoria Dumevi
Ho Nurses’ Training College, P. O. Box 728, Ho, Ghana and Department of Nursing, University of Health and Allied Sciences, PMB 31, Ho, Ghana.
Fleischer C. N. Kotey
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, P. O. Box KB 4236, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana.
Emmanuel Afutu
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, P. O. Box KB 4236, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana.
Robert Aryee
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, P. O. Box KB 4236, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana.
Charles Yao Agede
Volta Regional Health Directorate, P.O. Box 72, Ho, Ghana.
Nicholas T.K.D Dayie
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, P. O. Box KB 4236, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana.
Irene Ayi
Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 581, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
Patience B. Tetteh-Quarcoo *
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, P. O. Box KB 4236, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana.
Patrick F. Ayeh-Kumi *
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, P. O. Box KB 4236, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Intestinal amoebiasis is a common cause of gastroenteritis in children, with the Entamoeba complex consisting of genetically diverse but morphologically identical species. Amoebic infections are generally subclinical and may be acute or chronic, leading to high morbidity or mortality, especially among children.
Objective: This study assessed the prevalence rate and associated factors of intestinal amoebiasis and other enteric parasitosis among asymptomatic school children within the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region in Southeastern Ghana.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study, involving 302 primary school children (aged 4–15 years) in 6 socio-economic settings within the municipality. Single fresh stool specimens were collected from the children and examined microscopically using direct wet mount, iodine preparation and formal ethyl-acetate concentration technique. Structured questionnaire was used to determine demographics and risk factors associated with Entamoeba complex infection among the school children.
Results and Discussion: A total of 106 (35.1%) children had gastrointestinal parasitic infection. Of these, seventy-two (23.8%) had Entamoeba complex infection with the highest infection (30.4%) recorded among 8–9-year-olds. Children from Peri-Urban communities were more infected with Entamoeba complex (32.4%, 33/102) compared to Urban (24.8%, 25/101) and Rural (14.1%, 14/99) respectively. Other parasites detected included; Giardia lamblia 21(7.0%), Hookworm 11(2.3%), Trichuris trichuira 1(0.3%) and Ascaris lumbricoides 1(0.3%). Factors associated with Intestinal amoebiasis were source of food, fingernails biting/thumbs sucking habits and mother’s level of education.
Conclusion: Intestinal parasitic infections is prevalent in the study area and we recommend personal and environmental hygiene practices as well as health education for effective elimination of amoebic and other enteric parasitic infections.
Keywords: Entamoeba complex infections, school children, helminthes, Giardia lamblia