Introduction

Intestinal parasites are regarded as important public health problems in tropical Africa and cause malnutrition, diarrhea and anaemia in humans. They are among the most prevalent human infections affecting approximately one fourth of the world’s population1. In the developing world, young women, pregnant women, their infants and children frequently experience a cycle where repeated infection lead to adverse consequences that can continue from one generation to next2. However, the role of women in any society can not be overemphasized.

In Nigeria, women make up more than one third of the work force, comprising 70% of agricultural workers, 80% of food producers, 95% of those who process basic food stuff and 60-90% of those marketing3. It is in the course of performing these duties, including domestic house obligations that contact with infective stages of most parasites occur. Early reporting of infections is also hampered by illiteracy, ignorance, weak economic power and poor health facilities4. Thus, this study centers on intestinal parasitic infections and their effects on the fe¬male gender. The main objective was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites among women at different reproductive stages and the impact of related factors such as socio-demographic and economic factors that can influence the prevalence of these parasites.

Materials and Methods

Study Area

Study Population and Parasitological examinations

Statistical Analysis

Result

Five parasites species were found among women in the study area, Figure 1 illustrates the prevalence of individual parasites among women groups. The pre-menstrual group recorded the highest infection rate with Entamoeba coli 71 (28.4%), Entamoeba histolytica 55(22.0%), Ascaris lumbricoides 43 (17.2%), Taenia sp was not found but recorded a prevalence of 11 (3.7%) among the menstrual group. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of intestinal parasites among women at different reproductive stages (X2 = 23.1, P > 0.05).

Figure 1

Figure 1: Prevalence of intestinal parasites among women at different reproductive stage

The prevalence of intestinal parasites in relation to educational status is given in Table 1. Women with no level of education recorded the peak of infection with 75%, followed by those that have primary and secondary level of education recording prevalence rates of 73.13% and 66.66% respectively. The least infection of 23.91% was found among those that attended a tertiary institution. Women at post-menstrual and pre-menstrual stages recorded the highest infection rate with 63.86% and 72.80%) respectively. No significant difference was observed between the prevalence rate and the educational status of women (X2 = 85.93, P > 0.05).

Keys: Exam = Number examined, Inf = Number infected

Figure 2

Table 1: Prevalence of intestinal parasites in women in relation to educational status

Table 2 illustrates the prevalence of intestinal parasites in relation to occupation of women. Students recorded a higher rate of infection with 68.60%) followed by trader 65.50%, housewives 64.50%, farmers 60.00%. The least infection rate was found among civil servants 20.50%. There was not significant difference in the prevalence of infection and occupation of women (X2 = 130.63, P > 0.05).

Figure 3

Table 2: Prevalence of intestinal parasites in women in relation to occupation

The prevalence of intestinal parasites among women in relation to location is shown in Table 3. Girls and women who reside at North-Bank had the highest infection rate with 69.50%, followed by women residing at Wadata 57.60%) and Modern Market 56.00%. The least infection rate was encountered among women residing at Wurukum 52.70%. No significant difference was observed in the prevalence of intestinal parasites in women in relation to location (X2 = 32.3, P > 0.05).

Figure 4

Table 3: Prevalence of intestinal parasites in women in relation to location

Discussion

The present study reveals a relatively high infection rate of intestinal parasitosis among women in Makurdi, Benue State-Nigeria. However, these findings are closely related to 51.60 %, 52.62% and 57.70% of urban areas found in Benin Republic, Senegal and Chad respectively 6, 7, 8 The protozoans Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba coli were observed having high rates of infection among pre-menstruals and post-menstruals with 18.90% and 21.60% respectively. These parasites are often associated with waterborne transmission; the very deplorable state of potable drinking water in the town should be to a great extent responsible to the highest number of infection encountered. While engaged in domestic chores, these women are more predisposed to contaminated water bought from water vendors who sometimes fetch water from broken pipes, running surface or directly from the River Benue. Infection could also come from contaminated well water in the household on which most of the families depend. The consumption of unwashed fruits or contact with vegetables in the market could also lead to infection. Sometimes these fruits are brought from remotest areas of the state where hygienic precautions are not taken during the plucking, packaging and transportation of the fruits. However, vegetables consumed are mostly farmed along the river banks during the dry season and are directly watered from the river without any form of water treatment thus could definitely lead to the contamination of the crops by these parasites. This study is similar to the infection rate of Entamoeba histolytica (29.47%) observed in N’Djamena capital of Chad Republic among the female gender 9.

With regards to the level of education, the post-menstrual women with no level of education (Nil) had the highest number of infection (75%). This could be due the low level of hygiene consciousness due to illiteracy. The low rate of infection observed among women that have attended a tertiary institution might be due to the fact they are more often enlightened and economically stable.

The relationship between occupation and prevalence of infection showed that students were more infected. This high rate of infection in this category might be attributable to the constant contact of these students with contaminated soil, water or food. However, this study corroborates the affirmation that school children are found to be spending more of their leisure time out doors, playing or foraging in garbage dumps and eating discarded foods remains on the street, and are more often in contact with soil and eat indiscriminately with unwashed hands10.

In relation to location, females living at North-Bank and Wadata are more infected. These are high densities areas populated by mainly fishermen, farmers, traders, crafty men and women who live with unsanitary conditions such as lack of sanitation facilities especially latrines and lack of potable drinking water; the presence of stagnant water in gutters and dump hills that are common sights could be the sources of contamination in these areas. This, however, agrees with a study carried in Makurdi 11.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Considering this devastating effects of these parasites on humans, it is stated that transmission of these parasites are facilitated by eating raw or undercooked food, unwashed fruits or vegetables12. The situation is made worst by the increasing world population and the environmental pollution, the inability to keep pace with provision of adequate drinking water and sanitation of the immediate environment. In order to find a way out of this public health nuisance, there is a need to educate the general populace on the urgency to stop these unhealthy behaviours. The government needs to enforce many of the docile environmental laws in order to make people live in healthy environments and observe hygiene rules which are necessary for good health and longevity.

Acknowledgements