Journal of Environmental Education Research and

Sustainable Development

 

(JEERESD)

EDITORIAL

EcoClean Environment

KOGA Mang’Dobara*, MAMBOUNE Sylvie Martine, MAHOB Joseph Raymond, PIERROU Maxime, AJEAGAH GIDEON Aghaindum

Abstract

Context: Intestinal parasites remain a significant public health problem in the tropical and subtropical regions. Methods: This study aimed to investigate the biodiversity, the prevalence and parasitic associations of intestinal parasites among hospitalized patients in the Health District of Efoulan. Eighty-three 83 stool specimens were sampled from patients aged 1 to 28 years. A questionnaire was administered in order to collect data on factors that may influence the prevalence of intestinal parasites. Results: Results revealed that 66 of the examined people were infested, yielding an overall infestation rate of 80 ± 8.61%. Patients in the age group of 11-20 years had the highest infestation rate (88 ± 10.83%), followed by those of 21-28 years (80.00 ± 20.25 %) and those aged 0-10 years (70.59 ± 15.32 %) ; but differences in infestation rates between age groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Twenty three (23) parasite species were identified, with Entamoeba histolytica being the most prevalent species (39.76 ± 10.50 %). Polyinfestation was recorded in 43 (65.15 ± 11.51%) of the examined subjects and diparasitism was more frequent (24.24 ± 12.81%). These findings emphasize the need for improved sanitation and health screening to reduce the prevalence of intestinal parasites.