African Journal of Parasitology Research

African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 57–64

DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/100008

Article Type: Full Length Research Paper

Title: Intestinal protozoan infections and nutritional indices among primary school children in rural communities of plateau state, Nigeria

Names of Authors: Lami D. Pam¹, Doris S. Bot¹, Emmanuel C. Okon²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Zoology, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria. ²Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.

Abstract: Pathogenic intestinal protozoa are principal contributors to chronic diarrhoeal disease and growth faltering in paediatric populations. This investigation assessed the prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasites and their impact on physical growth parameters among 740 primary school children aged 6 to 12 years in rural Plateau State, Nigeria. Stool samples were examined via direct saline-iodine smears and formal-ether sedimentation techniques. An overall protozoan infection prevalence of 45.4 percent was documented. Entamoeba histolytica / dispar accounted for 21.6 percent, Giardia duodenalis for 16.2 percent, and Blastocystis hominis for 7.6 percent. Multiple protozoan infections occurred in 5.8 percent of pupils. Age-specific comparison showed no significant variance across age brackets (P > 0.05). Anthropometric evaluation using WHO AnthroPlus software revealed a stunting prevalence of 28.4 percent and underweight prevalence of 22.1 percent. Children positive for Giardia duodenalis exhibited significantly lower weight-for-age Z-scores (mean -1.48 versus -0.82, P = 0.003) and impaired cognitive task completion times compared to parasite-free peers. Multivariate regression linked infection directly to consumption of unboiled well water (odds ratio = 3.08, 95 percent confidence interval [1.91 to 4.97]) and open-air food vending at school premises (odds ratio = 2.14, 95 percent confidence interval [1.39 to 3.29]). The findings confirm that waterborne protozoal pathogens are major correlates of chronic malnutrition in rural Nigerian school children, necessitating safe drinking water provision and school sanitation upgrades.

Keywords: Intestinal protozoa, Giardia duodenalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Malnutrition, School children, Nigeria

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 03 May 2010; Revised: 03 June 2010; Accepted: 05 July 2010; Published: 09 August 2010

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