The prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminths among institutionalized children in three states of South-East Nigeria.

Background: Intestinal helminthiasis is one of the most common and neglected diseases affecting all age groups, especially among school children. It is a disease condition of suboptimal environment and poor personal hygiene, and is more prevalent in children in institutionalized centers.

Aims: This study was aimed to determine the prevalence, pattern, and intensity of intestinal helminthiasis among children in motherless babies' homes/orphanages and the relationship between the prevalence and demographic characteristics of the children. The outcome may be useful in strengthening these homes through advocacy to the appropriate authorities on general health promotion and awareness for the management of the homes.

Subjects And Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out over 7 months (March-September 2017) in three states of the South-East Nigeria. Prior to the studies ethical clearance and permissions from relevant bodies were obtained. A total of 198 children aged 3 months to 17 years were recruited using multi-stage sampling methods from the homes and orphanages in Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu states. Their stool samples were collected and analyzed for ova of intestinal helminths using ether concentration and Kato-Katz techniques.Frequency tables were designed for relevant variables while quantitative variables were summarized using median and interquartile range (IQR). The relationship between demographic factors and presence of intestinal helminths amongst study participants was tested using Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test (FET) where appropriate. All analyses were done at the 5% level of significance, and a P value <.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: : Children aged 1-5 years constituting the highest proportion 110 (55.6%). The median age (IQR) of the participants was 2.5 years (3 months to 17 years). They comprised of 89 (44.9%) males and 109 (55.1%) females with a male: female ratio of 1:1.2. The overall prevalence of intestinal helminths among institutionalized children was 5/198 (2.5%). Ascaris lumbricoides only was seen in four out of five (80%) infested subjects while mixed infestation of A. lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura was seen in one out of five (20%) subjects. All the infected subjects had light intensity of 100-300 EPG. It was noted that three out of five infested subjects were preschool children. However, the difference between the age groups and intestinal infestation was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). All the subjects with helminthic infection were females. Gender and location of motherless babies' homes/orphanages were not significantly associated with the presence of infestation (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed that the prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminthiasis amongst the surveyed children in the South-Eastern Nigeria are 2.5% and more common among preschool aged children.