Healthcare-Associated Intestinal Protozoan Parasites among Inpatients of a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Background: Despite the advancements in medical sciences, healthcare-associated infections continue to pose significant threats to human health. Objectives: This research was carried out to assess the prevalence of healthcare-associated intestinal protozoan parasites among admitted patients of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital in Awka. Materials and Methods: Two stool samples were collected from each of 159 patients and analyzed using saline wet mount test, formol ether concentration technique, and modified Ziehl Neelsen technique. Other data concerning demography and risk factors were obtained with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square test and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Overall, 25 samples (15.7%) were positive for nosocomial intestinal protozoan infection. Females had the highest prevalence of this infection (18.3%). Additionally, the age group 10- 19 years had the highest prevalence (31.6%). Patients who were hospitalized for more than 30 days revealed the highest prevalence (87.5%), and patients admitted to the pediatric ward also had a high prevalence (23.5%). Moreover, patients who drank well water had a prevalence of 33.3%, and those who did not sanitize their hands revealed a prevalence of 22.2%. Nosocomial infection was strongly associated with duration of hospital stay and stool consistency (P ˂ 0.000). In this study, 5 parasites were isolated, among which Entamoeba histolytica was the most prevalent parasite (52.0%). Conclusion: Hence, improved patient and medical personnel hygiene, safer health practices, and hospital sanitation should be adopted to curtail the spread of infection.