Intestinal Parasitic Infection in Human Immuno-Diffeciency Virus and Acquired Immune Difficiency Syndrome (HIV/Aids) Patients Attending General Hospital Doma in Nasarawa State

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections poses significant risks for individuals living with HIV/AIDS due to their compromised immune systems as it remains a significant global health concern, particularly in low and middle income region like Doma Local Government Area where sanitation and hygiene practices tends to be inadequate. The study investigated the intestinal parasites in a total of 400 stool samples collected from informed individuals living with HIV/AIDS that vary in age, gender, and socioeconomic status attending General Hospital Doma in Nasarawa State. Samples were preserved to prevent degradation, followed by microscopic examination and analyzed for the presence of eggs, cysts, or trophozoites, using direct smear, concentration methods, and formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation technique to enhance detection rates. A structured questionnaire was used to gather information on risk factors and data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. The P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Intestinal parasites were recovered in 103 out of 400 samples processed, yielding an overall prevalence rate of 25.7%. Among the recovered parasites, Hookworm exhibited the highest prevalence at 24.3%, followed by Giardia lamblia at 20.4%. Other notable infections included Ascaris lumbricoides (18.4%), Entamoeba histolytica at 14.6%, Enterobius vermicularis (10.7%), Strongyloides stercoralis (6.8%), Hymenolepis nana (3.9%), and Toxoplasma gondii (1.0%). The highest prevalence of infections occurred among patients in the age group 21-30years (19.4%) while the lowest prevalence was observed in patients aged 61 years and above (4.9%) (P<0.05). The observed difference in infection prevalence among the sexes was not statistically significant (P> 0.05), however, infections were more common in females (52.9%) compared to males (47.1%). Based on their risk factors patients who live in rural settings are more infected (71.9%) than those who live in an urban setting (28.1%), patients who are poor financially were more infected (61.1%) than those who are middle class (28.1%) and rich (10.6%) and patients who drink table water were less infected (4.9%) compared to those who drink borehole water (18.4%), well water (30.1%) and stream water (46.6%). Overall, the findings underscore the high burden of intestinal parasitic infections among HIV/AIDS patients, with specific demographic patterns that warrant further investigation for effective treatment and prevention strategies.