Prevalence of hospital acquired gastrointestinal protozoa parasites among in-patients of a missionary and private hospital in Awka, Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Regardless of the efforts by health organizations and hospital personnel, research continues to report hospital acquired infections in admitted patients worldwide. This research was carried out to survey the prevalence of hospital acquired gastrointestinal protozoa parasites among admitted patients of Regina Caeli Specialist Hospital (missionary hospital) and Izunna Hospital and Maternity (private hospital) in Awka South LGA of Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria. Two samples each from 79 patients were collected and analyzed using direct wet mount and formol ether concentration technique. Other information concerning demography and risk factors were obtained with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Data obtained was analyzed using chi-square test and probability values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. Out of the samples examined, 9(11.4%) were positive for hospital acquired gastrointestinal protozoa parasites. Hospital acquired gastrointestinal protozoa parasites were found to occur in all two hospitals with the missionary hospital having the highest occurrence rate of 66.7%. Males recorded the highest prevalence of 6(15.8%) compared to females 3(7.3%) while age group 50-59years had the highest prevalence of 28.6%. Patients from the male ward recorded a higher prevalence of 17.9%. Meanwhile patients whose occupation is farming had a higher prevalence of 25.0% while patients who only wash their vegetables/fruits sometimes before eating presented a higher prevalence of 18.2%. Prevalence of hospital acquired gastrointestinal protozoa parasite infection was strongly associated with duration of hospital stay (P˂ 0.000). Out of the four parasites identified, Entamoeba histolytica was the most prevalent with 5(55.6%). Consequently, regulation of patients’ hospital stay, sanitation and better hygiene practices should be adopted and encouraged to prevent the spread of hospital acquired infection.