Abstract
Background: The sickle-cell gene is widespread in Africa and anemia, a common finding in sickle cell anemia (SCA) may occasionally result from other nonhemolytic causes such as helminthic infestations. The study is aimed at demonstrating the prevalence of intestinal helminths, risk factors of intestinal helminthic infection, and the hemoglobin level of infected children with SCA in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. Subjects and Methods: This is a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted between August and October 2018 involving 120 children aged 2–18 years with SCA. Risk factors for intestinal helminthic infections were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Stool was analyzed using the Kato-Katz method while the hemoglobin level was analyzed using an automated machine. Results: Among the recruited children, 55.8% were male within the age range 2–18 years with a mean age of 8.6 (±4.6 standard deviation [SD]) years and 9.1 (±3.9 SD) years for the boys and the girls, respectively. Eleven stool samples contained intestinal helminths. Lack of/poor handwashing before eating (P = 0.003) and after defecating (P
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