scholarly journals Parasitic Infections among Independent Refuse Disposal Workers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Author(s):  
Eze Chinwe Nwadiuto ◽  
Mbah Kelechi Sam

Background: A study was carried out to ascertain the prevalence of parasitic infections among independent refuse disposal workers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, and to ascertain the risk factors that enhance their vulnerability to parasitic infections. Aims: The study was undertaken to determine parasitic infections among independent refuse disposal workers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Methods: Urine, stool and blood specimens were collected from 210 male refuse disposal workers. Standard parasitological procedures were employed in sample collection and examinations for the presence of various parasitic organisms. Results:  Results showed 86.2% of the subjects were infected with Plasmodium sp, 94.3% were infected with one or more of 9 parasitic species, of which hookworm had the highest prevalence (91.4%). Others included are Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Taenia sp, Strongyloides stercoralis, Enterobius vermicularis, Schistosoma mansoni, Entamoeba hystolytica, Girdia lamblia. Schistosoma haematobium was not recovered from the urine specimens. Age group 26-29 years had the highest malaria prevalence of 89.1%, followed by age group 18-21 years (88.4%) while parasitic infection rate was highest among the age group 18-21(97.6%). Refuse disposal workers who reside in Rumuokoro camp had the highest malaria and intestinal parasites followed by Eneka. Poly-parasitism with A. lumbricoides and hookworm recorded the highest prevalence of 58 (27.8%) and fifteen subjects had triple poly-parasitism, with A. lumbricoides, hookworm and T. trichiura. Only 49 of the 210 respondents used one or more of the various personal protective equipment, while 161 used none at all. Conclusion: Intestinal parasitic infection is highly prevalent among the independent refuse disposal workers in Port Harcourt. Inadequate use of personal protective equipment, poor personal hygiene and deplorable living conditions were identified as the major risk factors that enhanced transmission. It is therefore, imperative that the government enforces the use of personal protective equipment, implementation of preventive chemotherapy with health education to reduce morbidity and control transmission among the workers.

Author(s):  
Danang Setia Budi

 Introduction: Occupational contact dermatitis is defined as a skin disorder that occurs after work and caused by work process. Electroplating is one of the jobs which has  high contact dermatitis risk because there are irritant chemicals such as nickel and chromium. This study aimed to identify the relationship between risk factors for occupational-induced contact dermatitis and  electroplaters at CV. X and CV. Y, Durungbanjar Village, Sidoarjo District. Method: This research was an observational study using cross-sectional approach. The sample was a total population of 28 people, consisting of 13 electroplaters at CV. X and 15 electroplaters at CV. Y in Durungbanjar Village. The study was conducted in November - May 2019. Data were collected using questionnaires, observations and medical record sheets. The variables in this study were contact duration, contact frequency, type of work and the use of personal protective equipment. Result: Result showed that 64.3% of electroplaters suffered from contact dermatitis. Contact duration factor had a very strong correlation of c = 0.764, contact frequency factor had a strong correlation of c = 0.710, type of work had strong correlation of c = 0.616, personal hygiene factor had strong correlation of c = 0.547 and the use of personal protective equipment also had strong correlation of c = 0.545. Conclusion:  There is a very strong correlation between contact duration and contact dermatitis. Contact frequency, type of work and the use of personal protective equipment had strong correlation to contact dermatitis among electroplaters. The higher contact duration and frequency with irritant substances among the electroplaters, the higher the increase of the risk of contact dermatitis among the electroplaters. Some occupational efforts and recommendations can be made to reduce the risk of contact dermatitis. Keywords: contact dermatitis, electroplating, risk factors


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (08) ◽  
pp. 1080-1085
Author(s):  
Nilufer Emre ◽  
Tamer Edirne ◽  
Aysun Ozsahin ◽  
Muhammed Fahrettin Kulceler

Introduction: It has been noted that post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms could be common in physicians who have experienced a traumatic event. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder and contributing risk factors among resident doctors working in a tertiary care hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted via an online survey from May to July 2020. Sociodemographic characteristics, exposure to the coronavirus, application of personal hygiene rules, presence and use of personal protective equipment, anxiety and prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder were investigated. Results: In total, 17.8% (n = 40) of 225 resident doctors who participated in the study had post-traumatic stress disorder. Working at a department serving to COVID-19 patients increased the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder by 2.9 times (OR = 2.936, p = 0.003) while contacting positive patients increased this risk by 2.6 times (OR = 2.607, p = 0.023) and lack of personal protective equipment by 3.6 times (OR = 3.656, p = 0.018). Anxiety scores were statistically significantly higher in women, married and those living with their parents or spouses and children (p = 0.049; p = 0.011; p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusions: Working in a department serving to COVID-19 patients, contact with positive patients and lack of personal protective equipment were risk factors in the emergence of post-traumatic stress disorder in resident doctors. Anxiety was also found to be greater in women, married and those living with their families.


2022 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-18
Author(s):  
Olaleye W. Babatunde ◽  
◽  
I.J. Awah ◽  
Abosede A. Babatunde ◽  
◽  
...  

A survey of intestinal parasites of pregnant and non-pregnant women attending the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria was carried out between November 2010 and April 2011. A total of 300 samples (150 from pregnant women and 150 from non – pregnant women respectively) were randomly collected from these women who attended the hospital. The samples were examined using the direct wet preparation and formol ether concentration technique. A total of 41 (13.67%) women were infected. The infected stool samples contained eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides (48.78%), Hookworm (39.02%), and Cysts of Entamoeba histolytica (12.20%). Although, more pregnant women (16(39.02%)), the difference was not statistically significant. The highest prevalence of 20% was observed in the pregnant women within the age – group of 27-30 while the age group of 19-22 years. The difference between the prevalence of infection in the age group was significant. However personal hygiene improved health education programs and supervised public toilets together with food vendor's education have been recommended as measures to eradicate intestinal parasitic infections among pregnant and non-pregnant women. It has been recommended that stool analysis should be part of the antenatal screening tests particularly in subjects with a high level of parasitemia.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soumia Sebaa ◽  
Jerzy M. Behnke ◽  
Djamel Baroudi ◽  
Ahcene Hakem ◽  
Marawan Abu-Madi

Abstract Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are amongst the most common infections worldwide and have been identified as one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality among disadvantaged populations. This community based study was conducted to assess the magnitude and pattern of intestinal parasitism and to identify the key risk factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections in Laghouat province, south Algeria.Methods: Stool samples were collected from 2277 symptomatic and asymptomatic patients aged 1-89 years old. Structured questionnaire were used to identify environmental, socio demographic and behavioral factors. Stool specimens were collected and examined for intestinal parasitic infection. Results: More than 33% of participants were found to be infected for at least one protozoan and/or helminth parasite. Of these, the most common parasites were Blastocystis spp. (17.79%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (8.78%), Giardia intestinalis (4.22%), Entamoeba coli (4.08%) and more rarely Endolimax nana, Cryptosporidium spp, Trichomonas intestinalis, Enterobius vermicularis, Taenia spp., and a single case of Trichuris trichiura. Multivariate analysis revealed significant associations between prevalence and species richness of combined protozoan parasites and contact with animal, living in rural areas and relying primarily on tap water, particularly in young individuals. Analysis of temporal consistency showed a high rate of infection in rural locations in the spring of 2018 and a firm relationship between school children and tap water was also detected. Conclusions: The high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among the Laghouat population, with identification of several risk factors indicates that parasitic infections are important public health problems. Therefore, several strategies are recommended in order to effectively reduce these infections including good animal husbandry practices, health education focused on good personal hygiene practices especially for school children, availability of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.


Author(s):  
Le Bari Barine Gboeloh ◽  
Itoro Imaobong Sounyo

Parasitic contamination of fresh fruits and vegetables sold in selected markets in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. was investigated. Oil mill and Creek Road were the two major markets in Port Harcourt metropolis area selected for this study. A total of 216 samples of different types of fruits and vegetables were randomly sampled for parasitological examination using normal saline and zinc sulphate floatation techniques. The results showed that out of the 216 samples of vegetables and fruits examined, 87 (40.3%) were infected. The results were statistically significant (P< 0.05). The parasites identified included Entamoeba coli; Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Balantidium coli, Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancyclostoma spp and Fasciola spp. Entamoeba coli was the most prevalent parasite (83.15%) while Ascaris lumbricodes (1.12%), Ancyclostoma spp (1.12%) and Fasciola spp (1.12%) had least prevalence. There was statistical no difference (P>0.05) in prevalence of parasites genus in the two markets. Tomatoes had the highest contamination rate of (10.6%) followed by waterleaf, bitter leaf, green leaf, pumpkin leaf, pear, orange, and scent leaf with the prevalence rate of 9.3%, 8.8%, 4.6%, 3.2%, 1.9%, 1.4% and 0.5% respectively. Produce contaminated with intestinal parasites poses a serious health challenge to the consumers if they are not properly washed before consumption. Personal hygiene and proper washing of fresh fruit and vegetable before consumption will reduce the prevalence of food-borne parasitic infections.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Kefale Shiferaw ◽  
Teklemichael Tesfay ◽  
Girmay Kalayu ◽  
Gebrehiwot Kiros

This study was aimed to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections in grade school children in Maksegnit, Northwest Ethiopia. Five species of intestinal parasites were identified with an overall prevalence of 155 (40.4%). Among these, Ascaris lumbricoides 122 (31.8%) and Entamoeba histolytica 18 (4.7%) were predominant. Of the total 155 (40.4%) positive individuals, 149 (39%) had a single infection and the rest 6 (1.6%) had double parasitic infections. Of the different variables assessed, age, gender, shoe wearing, and eating raw or undercooked vegetables were not significantly associated with the prevalence of intestinal parasites ( P > 0.05 ). However, a statistically significant association ( P < 0.05 ) was observed between infected children and variables including defecation habit (AOR = 0.216), cleanliness of fingernails (AOR = 0.146), drinking river water (AOR = 0.124), and hand washing habit after defecation (AOR = 0.236) ( P < 0.05 ). Regular deworming, education on personal hygiene, and environmental sanitation to both students and their parents shall be implemented to reduce the prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infections in the study area.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Sherlina Rintik Tirta Ayu ◽  
Sri Haryati ◽  
Yulia Sari ◽  
Sutartinah Handayani

<p>Intestinal parasitic infections are caused by protozoa, STH and non-STH worms. Immunity, which can be determined by measuring nutritional status, and personal hygiene can affect the occurrence of intestinal parasite infections. This study aims to determine the relationship between personal hygiene and nutritional status against intestinal parasite infections in elementary school students in Simo Boyolali. This type of analytic observational research with a cross sectional approach. Total sampling was taken at elementary school of Wates, Talakbroto 1, and Kedunglengkong 1 Simo, Boyolali. There were 11 students with worms infections, 16 with protozoa infections, and 4 with worms and protozoa infection. There was a relationship between washing hands before eating (p = 0.004), after eating (0.027), after defecating (p = 0.04), biting nails (p = 0.008), wearing footwear when leaving the house (p = 0.008) , removing shoes while playing during school breaks (p = 0.001), and nutritional status (p = 0.002) with intestinal parasite infection. There was no relationship between nail clipping once a week (p = 0.118) and the availability of a latrine (p = 0.416) with intestinal parasitic infections. So, there is a relationship between personal hygiene (washing hands before eating, after eating, after defecating, biting nails, wearing footwear when leaving the house, removing shoes when playing during school breaks, and nutritional status) and intestinal parasitic infections.</p><p> </p><p>Keywords<strong>:</strong> elementary school; protozoa; worms.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Baye Sitotaw ◽  
Wakgari Shiferaw

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) have been major public health burdens in low-income countries like Ethiopia. Studies in different areas of Ethiopia have shown a high prevalence of IPIs in poor families. A similar study has not been conducted in Sasiga District given that the area is possibly at high-risk of IPIs due to the prevailing risk factors. This study is aimed at assessing the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors among schoolchildren in Sasiga District, southwest Ethiopia. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2018 to March 2019 to estimate the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors among the study participants. A total of 383 children were selected using resident-type and grade-level stratified systematic random sampling technique. Stool samples were examined microscopically using direct wet mount and formal-ether concentration techniques. A structured questionnaire was used to get information on the associated risk factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and p value of ≤0.05 was taken as statistically significant. The overall prevalence of IPIs among the children was 62.4% (239/383). Single, double, and triple infections were 49.9%, 10.7%, and 1.83%, respectively. Residence, family income, place of defecation, source of drinking water, shoe-wearing habit, handwashing habit after toilet use, ways of waste disposal, and cleanliness of fingernail were the most important predictors of IPIs (p<0.05). Ascaris lumbricoides (22.7% (87/383)) and hookworms (20.6% (79/383)) were the most prevalent parasites, followed by Entamoeba histolytica (8.1%), Trichuris trichiura (7.6%), Giardia intestinalis (6.5%), Hymenolepis nana (5.7%), and Schistosoma mansoni (4.4%), in that order. Sasiga District primary schoolchildren are likely at a high burden of IPIs. Intensive health education on personal hygiene and environmental sanitation is needed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 663-667
Author(s):  
Adamu Mohammed Saba ◽  
A. Muhammad ◽  
J. Baba ◽  
A. Mustapha ◽  
H. B. Hussaini

Ameobiasis is an infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica, which is a serious problem especially in developing countries and ranks third among the parasitic infections that lead to death mostly in primary age children.The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of E. histolytical in young children.Three hundred (300) children aged 0-14 years were sampled for E. histolytica infection in five rural communities in Wushishi Local Government Area, Niger State, North Central Nigeria.   The stool samples were examined for cysts of E. histolytica using saline and iodine preparations. The prevalence rate of 17 % was recorded. The prevalence by sex had a higher infection rate in males (19.3 %) than females (14.6%) which was not significantly (P>0.05). The prevalence of the infection in relation to age was highest (23%) in 7 to 10 year age group, while the least infection of 12 (12%) was recorded in 11 to 14 year age group A significant association was found between the sources of drinking water and prevalence of E. histolytica (P<0.05).  The highest was recorded in those using stream/pond (89.2%) and least recorded from Borehole/Tap (40.3%). Therefore, it become necessary need for improved sanitation, personal hygiene, health education  policy and a proper deworming scheme amongst school children in the study areas in order to decrease infections rate.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Amin ◽  
M Fahad Ullah ◽  
E Hannon ◽  
G Feaney ◽  
J Khan

Abstract Introduction Personal protective equipments (PPEs) are like war uniforms in the fight against Corona Pandemic. The limited supply of PPEs warrant their proper use not only to avoid shortage of supplies but also to prevent any infectious spread to healthcare workers. This study aimed at analyzing awareness among non-consultant hospital doctors re proper use of PPEs Method A questionnaire was devised using local available guidelines published by university Hospital Limerick. The study was done in 2 phases. In 1st phase 100 questionnaires were distributed to non-consultant hospital doctors(NCHDs). Results were analysed and after 1st phase and emails were sent with results and local guidelines and a zoom educational session was organized. In 2nd phase, questionnaire was redistributed in a week's time and results were re analysed to close the loop. Results 200 NCHDs participated in the study,100 in each phase. Most common age group in two phases was 21-30 yrs. Awareness about PPEs use for Covid 19 increased significantly in 2nd phase across all domains (what is included in PPEs (100% from 91%), Sequence for putting on PPEs (52% to 88% p &lt; 0.05), steps for FIT test (57% to 74% p = 0.247) and sequence for removing PPEs (47% to 81% p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions Though PPEs donning and doffing sessions were organized by the hospital officially, Awareness about effective use of PPEs among NCHDs further improved after organizing a Zoom educational session and auditing.


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