Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Intestinal Amoebiasis among Asymptomatic School Children in the Ho Municipality, South-eastern Ghana

Background: Intestinal amoebiasis is a common cause of gastroenteritis in children, with the Entamoeba complex consisting of genetically diverse but morphologically identical species. Amoebic infections are generally subclinical and may be acute or chronic, leading to high morbidity or mortality, especially among children.

Objective: This study assessed the prevalence rate and associated factors of intestinal amoebiasis and other enteric parasitosis among asymptomatic school children within the Ho Municipality of the Volta Region in Southeastern Ghana.

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study, involving 302 primary school children (aged 4–15 years) in 6 socio-economic settings within the municipality. Single fresh stool specimens were collected from the children and examined microscopically using direct wet mount, iodine preparation and formal ethyl-acetate concentration technique. Structured questionnaire was used to determine demographics and risk factors associated with Entamoeba complex infection among the school children.

Results and Discussion: A total of 106 (35.1%) children had gastrointestinal parasitic infection. Of these, seventy-two (23.8%) had Entamoeba complex infection with the highest infection (30.4%) recorded among 8–9-year-olds. Children from Peri-Urban communities were more infected with Entamoeba complex (32.4%, 33/102) compared to Urban (24.8%, 25/101) and Rural (14.1%, 14/99) respectively. Other parasites detected included; Giardia lamblia 21(7.0%), Hookworm 11(2.3%), Trichuris trichuira 1(0.3%) and Ascaris lumbricoides 1(0.3%). Factors associated with Intestinal amoebiasis were source of food, fingernails biting/thumbs sucking habits and mother’s level of education.

Conclusion: Intestinal parasitic infections is prevalent in the study area and we recommend personal and environmental hygiene practices as well as health education for effective elimination of amoebic and other enteric parasitic infections.