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Prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts among children with acute gastroenteritis in Zaria, Nigeria


A Gambo
HI Inabo
M Aminu

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts among children with acute gastroenteritis in Zaria, Nigeria by Kinyoun Modified Carbol-Fuchsin Staining (Modified Ziehl-Neelsen Staining) Technique. The results for the screening of Cryptosporidium oocysts showed that out of 372 stool samples investigated, 17 samples were positive for the oocysts. Among 17 positive samples, 8 were among 199 male while 9 were among 173 female children studied. The statistical association between microscopic detection of oocyst and gender was not significant (χ2 = 0.297, df = 1, p=0.586). However, there was no statistically significant association between the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocyst and the age of children observed (χ2 = 7.268, df = 9, p = 0.609). The results also showed no significant association between the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and the house hold animals (χ2 = 1.489, df = 4, p=0.829). There was also no statistically significant association between the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and the source of drinking water (χ2 = 6.367, df = 4, p=0.173). Similarly, there was not statistically significant association between the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and the type of toilet among the study population (χ2 = 1.128, df = 2, p=0.569).

Keywords: Children, Cryptosporidium, Gastroenteritis, Oocysts, Prevalence, Zaria


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eISSN: 2006-6996
print ISSN: 2006-6996