Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica: Parasitic Causes of Diarrhoea in Children Under - Five Years Old Attending Out – Patient Clinics in South-South Nigeria

Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of some intestinal protozoans among diarrhoeic and apparently healthy children under - five years old in Eket and Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria between October, 2013 and April, 2014. The study also established spatial distribution of Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia in the study areas.

Study Design: A total of 150 freshly - voided diarrhoeic samples of children attending Primary Health Care Centre, Eket and General Hospital, Ibeno, and 50 non–diarrhoeic samples were collected which served as controls.

Methodology: Direct stool microscopy and concentration techniques were utilised to identify parasites. Questionnaires were also administered.

Results: Giardia lamblia had the highest prevalence of 11% in Eket while Entamoeba histolytica had the highest prevalence of 16% in Ibeno. The prevalence of parasitic pathogens decreased with increase in age of participants. However, there was no statistical significant difference between these parasites and age of the subjects across the study areas (P>0.05). There was no case of the parasites in exclusively breast-fed children whereas a high prevalence was recorded among those who were not breast-fed, Eket (91.1%) and Ibeno (95.0%). The prevalence of pathogens had the highest occurrence in those who used water from the stream in Eket (90.0%). The relationship between the water source and intestinal parasites across the study areas showed a statistical significant difference (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: In this study the incidence of parasitic pathogens in under-five children could be traced to contaminated drinking water sources and feeding patterns of the children. Thus, there is a clarion call for sustained health information, communication and education (IEC) of nursing mothers and caregivers in the proper care and handling of these under-fives to curb this menace of intestinal parasitic pathogens.