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East African Journal of Public Health
East African Public Health Association
ISSN: 0856-8960
Vol. 5, No. 2, 2008, pp. 86-89
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Bioline Code: lp08017
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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East African Journal of Public Health, Vol. 5, No. 2, 2008, pp. 86-89
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Prevalence Of Intestinal Worm Infections Among Primary School Children In Nairobi City, Kenya
Mwanthi, Mutuku A.; Kinoti, Mary K.; Wamae, Annah W.; Ndonga, Maryann & Migiro, Prescilla S.
Abstract
Objective:
The main objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of total, single and multiple intestinal worm infections among
the primary school children in Nairobi City.
Methods:
A cross-sectional descriptive study was used to determine the status of intestinal worm infections whose subjects were drawn
from eight city administrative divisions. Proportional random sampling method to select forty five (45) schools out of 320 public, private
and non-formal schools was used. Using the school enrolment register for standard 3 and 4, fifty (50) pupils per school were selected to
participate in the study. Quantitative data from the study subjects were collected by use of a structured questionnaire. In addition, stool
specimens were collected from each study subject and examined by Kato-Katz laboratory method.
Results:
The four intestinal worms investigated constituted a total prevalence of 12.9%. This prevalence was found to be lower than that
in two other previous studies. A. lumbricoides had the highest prevalence and S. mansoni had the lowest. Prevalence of single worm
infections constituted 8.6% of the total prevalence. Differences in prevalence between males and females were observed only with
respect to T. trichiura and hookworm species. Fourteen to sixteen (14-16) and 11-13 years of age groups had the highest total
prevalence of 47% and 30.6% respectively. Differences in prevalence were not found among the school categories with exception of T. trichiura infections.
Conclusion:
Prevalence of total, single and multiple infections showed a downward trend when compared to the previous studies with
Ascaris lumbricoides persisting with the highest prevalence.
Keywords
Intestinal worms, infections, school children, Nairobi City
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© Copyright 2008 - East African Journal of Public Heath
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