Prevalence of intestinal parasites among patients of a Ghanaian psychiatry hospital.

Journal: BMC research notes

Volume: 8

Issue: 

Year of Publication: 2016

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. koduedu@gmail.com. Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. kkyaw@yahoo.com. Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. skwakuattah@yahoo.com. Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana. payehkumi@yahoo.com.

Abstract summary 

Neglected tropical diseases are of major concern to sub-Saharan African countries. Though efforts to monitor the prevalence and control are in place, these are mostly restricted to groups within the population. This study was performed to determine the prevalence among patients of a Ghanaian psychiatric hospital and find out whether there is a reason for active monitoring in this population.A cross-sectional study was performed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites among patients of a Ghanaian psychiatric hospital. Stool samples were collected and analyzed in addition to data.Of the 111 patients studied, asymptomatic carriage of parasites was 13.5 % and was higher in males (18.8 %) than in females (4.8 %). Carriage of parasites decreased with age but increase with duration of admission.This is the first report of parasitic pathogens among patients of a psychiatric institution in Ghana. The data shows that there are risks of transmission of infectious diseases via the oral route hence, the need for regular monitoring and intervention is emphasized.

Authors & Co-authors:  Duedu Kwabena O KO Karikari Yaw A YA Attah Simon K SK Ayeh-Kumi Patrick F PF

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations :  Noyer CM, Brandt LJ. Parasitic infections of the gastrointestinal tract. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 1999;1(4):282–291. doi: 10.1007/s11894-999-0111-6.
Authors :  4
Identifiers
Doi : 651
SSN : 1756-0500
Study Population
Males,Females
Mesh Terms
Adult
Other Terms
Study Design
Case Control Trial,Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Ghana
Publication Country
England