Prevalence study of intestinal helminthic infections among in- mates of Blind Rehabilitation and Vocational Centers in Bida, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Survey of intestinal helminth infections was carried out among the physically challenged in-mates of the Dokoza rehabilitation and the blind centers, both in Bida; Bida LGA of Niger State. Faecal and urine samples were collected for microscopic examination, for the presence of common intestinal helminth parasites. The results obtained showed that the common intestinal helminth parasite is Ascaris lumbricoides (24.0%), mixed infection (infection with more than one parasite types) (22.0%), hookworm (4.0%), Strongyloides stercoralis (4.0%). The study also showed increasing trend of infection with longer duration in both centers. Plausible reasons for this observed high trend of infections could be, in exposure of the in-mates to contaminated living environment coupled with low personal hygiene. Other reason lies in the fact that these groups are handicapped, indigent and often neglected thus, increasing their vulnerability to these infections. The public health implications of negligence of rehabilitation centers in the country as a whole are discussed in this paper.