PREVALENCE OF TYPHOID FEVER AGENT AMONG STUDENTS OF FACULTY OF SCIENCES IN BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY MAKURDI

Typhoid fever remains a major cause of enteric disease and a significant public health problem among students of faculty of science , Benue state University, Makurdi. The aim of this study is to asses the prevalence of typhoid fever among Benue state University students. A total of 160 stool samples were collected from both male and female students of Benue State University based on availability and were cultured on Salmonella/Shigella agar for the isolation of the causative agent. Isolates were identified using biochemical tests. Analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Chi-square test (2x2) or Fishers Exact Test was applicable at P-value of 0.005 derivation for socio-demographic and risk factors to identify variables. Overall, Salmonella typhi was isolated from 52 (41.9%) of the samples examined. Shigella the causative agent of dysentery was also isolated in 22 (17.7%) as samples were examined. The gender distribution showed that the prevalence was slightly higher in male students (67.0%) than the female students (57.0%). The infection was highest in the age group of 20-24 years which had 97.0% prevalence. The lowest prevalence was observed in the age group 25-29 years with 27.0%. The prevalence of typhoid fever is generally low in the University. Therefore, proper sanitary measures should be observed by the students in the university. The results also proved the superiority and reliability of stool culture technique over the Widal test in the diagnosis of Salmonella typhi infection. This study will provide the school administration adequate knowledge on the infection and serve as a guide in proffering solution to halt further spread of the disease in the institution.