Status and perception of intestinal parasitosis among students of a health professional institution in NDjamena, Chad

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic diseases remain an epidemiology a real problem in Chad, but little research has been done in this area. The purpose of the study is to determine the status of intestinal parasites infection among students in a health professional training institution and to assess their level of perception of this health problem. This prospective and descriptive study took place between June and July 2018. A total of 107 stool samples were collected from students in a health professional training institution in the city of N’Djamena. Direct examination and formalin-ether concentration methods were used to search for parasites. The results showed that the overall prevalence of intestinal parasites among the students was 64.5%. The parasite species identified were Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Ascaris lumbricoides, Taenia solium and Strongyloides stercoralis with respective percentages: 46.73, 13.08, 13.08, 1.87, and 0.93%. The rates of infestation according to the ethological factors were: - cooking water: 46.51 and 75.80% respectively for the national water company (SNE) and drilled water; feeding mode: 60 and 64.70% for respectively individual and collective; washing hands with soap before meals: 78.57 and 62.37% for respectively no and yes. To fight the diseases caused by parasitosis should involve a strategy on sanitation and health education.The species of parasites identified indicate that the fight against diseases caused by the above parasitosis should involve a strategy on sanitation and health education. Key words: Parasite, students, N’Djamena, health professional institution, Chad.