PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISKS FACTORS OF ASCARIS LUMBRICOIDES INFECTIONS AMONG OUT PATIENTS ATTENDING PRIMARY HEALTH CARE CENTER GADAU

ABSTRACT Background: Ascaris lumbricoides parasite is one of the commonest and most prevalent infections worldwide (Abu et al. 2016; Yoseph and Beyene 2020). A. lumbricoides infections are among the most prevalent and widespread chronic human intestinal infections worldwide with the greatest public health burden occurring in developing countries, particularly in Tropical Africa (De Silva et al. 2003; Bethony et al. 2006). A. lumbricoides infection rate among children is more lumbricoides infection rate among children is more prevalent in countries with poor socioeconomic status, where living conditions are unhygienic and untreated wastewater, unsafe and inadequate provision of water, poor personal hygiene and environmental sanitation (Pal and Anberber 2014; WHO 2019).Ascaris lumbricoides is a widely spread helminthic infection, predominantly affecting children, making them the most commonly infected population group. Objective: To determine the prevalence of Ascaris Lumbricoides among out patients attending Primary Health care center, Gadau. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 50 subjects in Gadau community was carried out in this study. A single stool sample was collected for examination from the subjects, using appropriately labelled clean specimen containers. The prevalence of Ascaris Lumbricodes was determined using the kato-katz method. Data was obtained using questionnaires which were administered by the researchers to parents and guardians living in the same household. Results: Out of the 50 single stool samples collected, from the subjects (made up of 10 from age 5-10, 10 samples from age 11-15, 10 from age 16-20 years and 20 samples from age 21 and above ), All the patients from age 5-10 were infected with Ascaris lumbricoides prevalence of 20%. Prevalence among age 11-15 is 18%, age 16-20 members are 16%, and 30% from 21years and above .Results:Female participants (44%) showed a slightly higher infection rate than male participants (40%). And children within the age of 5-10 are at higher risk of Ascaris lumbricoides which is 20%/84% of infected patients. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of intestinal Ascaris lumbricoides among residents in Gadau metropolis. Attention should be given by the government to periodically carry out mass deworming exercise among the whole members of each household.