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Original Article

J Med Allied Sci. 2017; 7(2): 92-98


Prevalence of malaria and intestinal parasites co-infections and their effects on hemoglobin levels among school-aged children in Bebuatsuan clan, Obudu, Cross River State, Nigeria

Paul Columba Inyang-Etoh, Atimanu Helen Agorye, Dorathy Chioma Okpokam, Uloma Opara-Osuoha.




Abstract

Malaria and intestinal helminths coexist with negative consequences on health of children. This work was to investigate the prevalence and the impact of these infections on hemoglobin levels of children in Bebuatsuan clan, Obudu. Blood films and stool samples from 285 school-aged children were examined using standard parasitological methods for malaria infection and intestinal parasites while packed cell volume and hemoglobin estimation were determined using the standard methods of Dacie and Lewis, (2015). Of the 285 subjects examined, 117(41.1%) harbored malaria parasites only, 75(26.3%) harbored intestinal parasites and 36(12.6%) were co-infected with both malaria and intestinal parasites. The mean hemoglobin levels of the control group (12.97+2.1) was significantly higher than that of the test group (11.13+6.1) (p=0.000). Malaria, intestinal parasites infection(s) and coinfection were highest in children aged 8 to 11years 43.3%, 36.7% and 16.7%, respectively. Malaria and intestinal parasites infections were higher in males (47.16%, 28.3%) than in females (33.3%, 23.81%) while co-infection was higher in females (14.28%) than in males (11.32%). Subjects with body weight of 42-56kg had the highest malaria infection (100%), intestinal parasitosis (33.3%) and co-infection (33.3%). Ascaris lumbricoides had highest prevalence among intestinal parasites 42(28.88%). This work has demonstration a strong influence of malaria and intestinal parasitosis on the blood levels of school-aged children.

Key words: Coinfections, Hemoglobin, Intestinal parasites, Malaria, School aged children






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