Geo-Mapping of Intestinal Parasitic Infection in a Southern Community in Nigeria

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitic infection constitutes a global health burden; it has a high prevalence among children in Nigeria. The quest for control is still ongoing. Geographical Information Systems have contributed significantly to solving sundry real-world tasks, from agriculture to emergency planning and control. Therefore, this study was aimed at geo-mapping of intestinal parasites in a Southern community in Nigeria to identify the infection risk areas. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey and clustered random sampling method were used. Samples were analyzed by direct wet mount and formal ether concentration methods. Geostatistical analyses were done to determine the spatial distribution of these parasites. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasite in the community was 23.95%  and parasites identified were: Ascaris lumbricoides 45(7.23%), Entamoeba histolytica 31(4.98%), Strongyloides stercoralis 13(2.09%), Gardia lambla 12(1.93%), Hookworm 11(1.77%), Trichuris trichiura 10(1.61%), Schistosoma mansoni 9(1.45%) and Diphyllobothrium latum 4(0.64%). The distribution and intensity of the parasites showed that Bolu-Orua, Tungbo, and Ogalawa communities had higher intestinal parasitic infection rates and needs urgent interventions. Part of Sagbama, Aguru, Toru-Orua to Toru-Eden had a moderate intestinal parasitic infection. CONCLUSION: An infection map was produced for each parasite, and visualizing the spatial distribution of intestinal parasites in these communities brings to bare health risk areas. It will help in the proper application of limited resources in the control and prevention of these parasites.