Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Gastrointestinal Infections Amongst Children in Bambili

Background and Objective: Intestinal helminths and protozoan parasites are major public health problems in developing countries. The main objective of this work was to estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of gastrointestinal infections amongst children in Bambili. Material and Methods: A few schools were selected and from these schools, children who submitted their stool samples were chosen for the study. A field questionnaire form was given to the Head teacher, who distributed them to the children. These forms were completed by their parents back at home and submitted to the Head teacher the next day by the pupils. The same procedure was applied for subsequent stool collection in all the schools sampled. Results: The most frequent intestinal protozoans were E. histolytica, E. coli and T. hominis. Meanwhile, the most predominant helminth was A. lumbricoides. The prevalence of IPIs was significantly higher in children living in the Mahmishang health zone followed by Ntigi/Akou health zone, than those in Nibie III, Nibie I, Ngophana and Nibie II and there was a significant difference in the overall prevalence of IPIs in the health zones. The E. histolytica was the most commonly observed intestinal parasite encountered in the course of this study followed by E. coli, A. lumbricoides and T. hominis. Conclusion: This study may provide invaluable statistics needed for planning meaningful public control programs that aim at reducing the prevalence and morbidity of parasitic infections.