Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasites among off Campus and Hostel Students of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites among students of the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State.

Study Design: The study targeted a total of 200 (73 off campus and 127 hostel) students of the University of Agriculture Makurdi.

Place and Duration of the Study: University of Agriculture Makurdi, from March 2018 to August 2018.

Methodology: 200 stool samples were collected from students ranging in age from 15-35 years. Sample processing was done using formal ether sedimentation technique while structured questionnaire was used to gather other relevant data. Data was analyzed using Chi-square.

Results: An overall prevalence of 53(26.5%) was recorded. Five species of gastro intestinal parasites were identified of which three were helminthes: Ascaris lumbricoides 8.5%, Trichuris trichuria 5% and Hook worm 1.5% while the other two are protozoan: Entamoeba histolytica 6% and Giardia lamblia 2%. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most predominant parasite although other parasites such as strongloides stercolaris, Entamoeba coli, Chilomastix mesnili and Vampirolepis nana were found aswell (P>0.05). Students in the age group 20-25 years were mostly infected while those from 31 years and above had no infection (P>0.05). High prevalence was recorded in students in hostel (28.3%) than those in off campus (23.3%) and among male students (29.2%) than in females (25.19%) (P>0.05). There was no significant difference between persons with single parasitism (32.6%) and poly-parasitism (20.5%) as well as in infection from different sources of drinking water (P>0.05). infection based on toilet type also showed no significant difference (P>0.05). 31.4% of infected subjects had symptoms of diarrhea while 25.3% had no diarrhea symptoms (P>0.05).

Conclusion: although the prevalence observed in this study is relatively low, students in the hostel account for most of the infection. Improved sanitation should be encouraged among students especially those in hostel.