Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoa And Parasites Infestations among Under five Children in Jabel Aweleia Governorate, Khartoum State

Abstract

A prospective community based comparative study conducted in Gabel Aweleia Governorate Khartoum State to estimate the prevalence of intestinal protozoa and parasitic infestation among under-five children. Three areas from Gabel Aweleia governorate were randomly selected, Gabel Aweleia town representing the urban setting, Treaa Elbiga village area representing rural setting and Mayo camp area – Mandela representing displaced camp area were included. A questionnaire was completed and clinical examinations for 390 children (130 child from each area) Stool samples were also collected and examined by an expert. The findings revealed that intestinal parasites were isolated from 186 children (47.7%), 51 (39.2%), 58 (44.6%) and 77 (59.2%) in urban, rural and displaced camp areas respectively. The commonest intestinal parasite among under-five children was G. lamblia (33.3%). Its rates were 26.2%, 34.6% and 39.2% for urban, rural and displaced camp area respectively. The prevalence rates for H. nana were 8.5%, 4.6% and 18.5% in urban, rural and displaced camp areas respectively. For non pathogenic E. coli the prevalence was 6.2% in urban, 6.9% in rural and 12.3% in displaced camp areas, while E. vermicularis were 3.8%, 1.55% and 6.2%, E. histolytica was not commonly isolated 0.0%, 0.8% and 1.5% , while schistosoma vii mansoni was the least isolated ( 0.0% , 0.8% and 0.0% in urban, rural and displaced camp areas respectively) . Infection by one parasite was found in 86.3% in urban area, 89.7% in rural area and 75.3% in displaced camp area, while 13.7%, 10.3% and 18.2% in urban, rural displaced camp area respectively had two parasites isolated. Infection by three parasites was found only in the displaced camp area (6.5%). The most infected age group was 1-2 year in urban area (26.9%), in rural area 3-4 years (26.9%) and in displaced camp > 2-3 years. Males predominated in urban and rural areas while females predominated in displaced camp area. There was no correlation between intestinal parasitic infection and personal habits, nutrition, hygiene and other social factors.