Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites an their Relationship with Anaemia Among School going Children Aged 5 - 13 Years at Kisugu Health Center III Kampala District.

Abstract

Background: Intestinal parasites which are known to cause major diseases and illnesses not limiting to anaemia of which intestinal protozoa and helminths are a primary cause especially in the sub-tropical and tropical areas worldwide. A cross-sectional study was conducted among school going children aged 5 – 13 years at Kisugu Health Center III, to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites. Methodology: One hundred and seventy school going children residing in Kisugu, Wabigalo and Namuwongo were consecutively recruited for the study. Stool was examined for helminths and protozoa by routine direct microscopy. Formal ether concentration technique was used to concentrate negative stool samples with no cysts or ova detected. Venous blood was taken off analyzed for haemoglobin concentration using an auto analyzer (HumaCount 60TS, German) to establish the prevalence of intestinal parasites and their relationship with anaemia. Anaemia in the study was defined as haemoglobin level (g/dl) below 12.0g/dl. Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasites in the study was 5.88%, with the highest being Giardia lamblia 5/170 (2.94%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica 3/170 (1.76%), other intestinal parasites recovered were Ancylostoma duodenale 1/170 (0.59%) and Trichuris trichiura 1/170 (0.59%). Fifty three were found anemic (haemoglobin level <12.0g/dl) of which 10 were positive for intestinal parasites, 43 had haemoglobin > 12.0g/dl with no infection with intestinal parasites and 160 had no cysts no ova of intestinal parasites. The study showed that females (7) were the most affected compared to males (3). From the study, results obtained revealed a relationship between intestinal parasites and anaemia as haemoglobin levels correlated with intestinal parasites (a p-value < 0.05) identified per study participant. Conclusion: Prevalence of intestinal parasites was 5.88%. Association of anaemia with intestinal parasites is more pronounced in intestinal helminths and less in intestinal protozoa infection, hence routine stool examination for all school going children at Kisugu Health Center III should be carried out