Asymptomatic Giardiasis and Nutritional Status of Children in Two Local Government Areas in Kaduna State; Nigeria

Giardiasis is found throughout the world but more prevalent in developing countries. The present study utilised ELISA coproantigen to determine the prevalence of Giardia lamblia in stool samples of children in day-care centres; nursery and primary schools in two Local Government Areas; Sabon-Gari and Zaria; in Kaduna State; Nigeria. Of 374 samples examined; 150 (41.45) were positive for Giardia lamblia. The prevalence of giardiasis was higher in males (50.3) than females (49.7). There was no significant difference in the level of infection in both sexes (p = 0.808). The highest prevalence of asymptomatic giardiasis was in the age group 3-5 years (32.9) while the lowest was in the 0-2 years (11.6). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of the disease between the age groups (p = 0.414). There was association between asymptomatic giardiasis and wasting (p = 0.030; ANOVA). There was also a positive association between asymptomatic giardiasis and Body Mass Index (p = 0.024; ANOVA) indicating malnutrition. In this study; giardiasis was a predictor of wasting and malnutrition in Sabo-Gari Local Government Area. It is therefore recommended that parents or guardians should provide nutritious meals for school-aged children and treatment of parasitic infections be included in the curriculum of school children

Prevalence of Giardiasis and Cryptosporidiosis among Children in Relation to Water Sources in Selected Village of Pawi Special District in Benishangul-Gumuz Region; Northwestern Ethiopia

"Introduction: Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum are implicated in many waterborne disease outbreaks in different parts of the world. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of these two parasites among children below 14 years old that drink water from different sources. Methods: Single stool specimens were collected from a total of 384 children in Almu; K2V24; and K2V23/24 villages; Pawi Special District; northwestern Ethiopia; and microscopically examined for Giardia cyst/trophozoites and Cryptosporidium oocysts. For identification of Cryptosporidium parvum the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method was used. Giardia lamblia was detected using direct microscopy based on wet mount and formalin-ether concentration techniques. Results: Out of the 384 children examined; 102 (26.6) and 31 (8.1) were found positive for G. lamblia and C .parvum infection; respectively. Prevalence of giardiasis in female children was significantly higher than in the males. However; no significant association was observed for infection of cryptosporidiosis between the two sexes. G.lamblia and C. parvum infection prevalence was not significantly different among the different age groups. On the other hand; the prevalence of G. lamblia and C. parvum was associated with the source of drinking water with more cases of giardiasis detected in study participants using water from unprotected water sources than those using the ""protected"" water. Contrary to this; more cases of cryptosporidiosis were detected in those using ""protected"" water sources. Conclusion: From the findings of the study one can conclude that providing well protected and treated drinking water should be considered a priority for reducing the existing high prevalence of giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis in the study area. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2010;24(3):205-213]"