Impact of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) on the Control of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections Among Primary School Children in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, Rivers State
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63561/jhssr.v2i4.1109Keywords:
Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, Gastrointestinal parasites, Primary school childrenAbstract
The impact of water, sanitation and hygiene in the control of gastrointestinal parasitic infections among primary school children in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Rivers State was investigated. The study was carried out for a period of seven months (January 2023 - July 2023). A total of 314 participants (167males and 147 females) from four primary schools (Seat of greatness international school, Omoku, Gre-Gracy International School Obrikom, Community Model Primary School, Omoku and Community primary school Okwuzi) were examined. Parasitological analysis of stool samples was carried out using direct smear and formol-ether sedimentation technique for higher sensitivity. Out of 314 pupils examined, 105(33.4%) were positive for at least one gastrointestinal parasite. The genus of parasites extracted were Ascaris spp., Hookworm spp, Trichuris spp., Strongyloides spp., Entamoeba spp. and Diphyllobothrium spp. with infection rates of 27(8.6%), 11(3.5%), 24(7.6%), 15(4.8%), 16(5.1%) and 5(1.6%) respectively. Multiple infections were recorded in 2.2% of the study participants. The prevalence of infection was higher in males (52.4%) than females (47.6%) but not significant (P>0.05). Higher infection rates were observed in participants who drank untreated public (44.5%) or private water (35.4%), did not wash their hands with water and detergent after defecation (51.7%), had poor hand washing practices (55.6%), used public toilets (53.2%), ate fruits/vegetables without washing (52.2%) and walking barefooted (55.2%). Schools with adequate toilet/sanitary facilities, environmental sanitation practices and treated water supply recorded lower rates of gastrointestinal infections. Risk factors associated with gastrointestinal parasitic infections observed in this study were drinking of untreated public or private water source, not washing hands with water and detergent after defecation, lack of regular hand washing practices, use of public toilets, inadequate washing of fruits/vegetables before eating, walking barefooted and lack of functional toilet/sanitary facilities and clean toilets in schools. Increased personal hygiene, sanitation, provision of standard toilet facilities, availability of good drinking water and proper orientation on personal hygiene in schools is recommended to reduce the prevalence of infections in the study area.
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