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Aim: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with the infection of intestinal parasites among patients attending KCMC hospital from January to December 2015
Background: Parasitic infections pose a significant health risk in developing nations and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The presence of intestinal parasites in a population is indicative of lack of proper sanitation, low economic standards, and poor educational background. More than 3.5 billion people, or 24% of the world’s population, are infected with intestinal parasitic infections worldwide. Infections are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas. In the United Republic of Tanzania, it is estimated that 51.5% of the population is infected with one or more intestinal parasites. If diagnosed early, the consequences of chronic parasitic infection can potentially be avoided.
Objectives: Was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with intestinal parasites, among patients and common clinical presentation of intestinal parasites.
Methodology: A Hospital based retrospective Cross-Sectional study was conducted at KCMC hospital medical records department for patients admitted from January to December 2015. Data was collected, extracted and analyzed from registered files of patients who were treated for intestinal parasites in the required time period of this study.
Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 2.7% while gender (males P=45.5 female, P= 54.5%) and age (highest among young adults highest among young adults highest among young adults highest among young adults highest among young adults highest among young adults highest among young adults highest among young adults highest among young adults highest among young adults highest among young adults highest among young adults P=45.5% years old =45.5% years old =45.5% years old =45.5% years old =45.5% years old =45.5% years old =45.5% years old =45.5% years old andand lowest lowest in the adults with prevalence of the adults with prevalence of the adults with prevalence of the adults with prevalence of the adults with prevalence of the adults with prevalence of the adults with prevalence of the adults with prevalence of P=9.1%=9.1% ) had correlation with the prevalence of intestinal parasites. Entamoeba histolytica was the most prevalent (73.9%) while Ascaris lumbricoides and Giardia lamblia had the least prevalence (4.3%).
Conclusion: The results of this study concluded that 22 patients were infected with various intestinal parasites and that gender and age significantly affected the prevalence of parasitic infections. Effective treatment of infected patients and improved sanitary habits is advocated. |
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