ABSTRACT

 A study on intestinal parasites and some sexually transmitted infection was conducted to determine the prevalence and the health risk factors of intestinal parasites, Trichomonas vaginalis and HIV infection among the prison inmates in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. About 350 (280 males and 70 females) aged betweenl8-61 years participated in the study. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic and behavioral risk factors. A total of 350 stool, blood and urine sample each and 70 High Vaginal Swab from the female inmates were collected. Samples were screened using saline wet preparation and formol ether concentration, serological and direct wet mount methods respectively. An overall 171(48.8%) for intestinal parasite was recorded. Females were more infected 51(72.8%) than the males 120(42.8%). This was found statistically significant (p<0.05). Five species of intestinal were identified. The most common was hookworm 95 (33.5%) and Trichuris trichuria 33(11.6%) was the least. Among males, age groups 51-60 recorded more infection (63.33%) while 18-20 years recorded least (25.0%). Those in age groups 51-60 recorded 100% infection in females. Of the 171 IP infection recorded, 97(56.7%) were single while 74(43.3%) were mixed infection. Hookworm+E.histolytica were the most 27(36.1%) common mixed infection while E.histolytica+T. trichuris 1(1.4%) were the least. Out ofthe 350 inmates screened, 152 (43.4%) T.vaginalis infections were recorded. Females were more 58(82.8%) infected than the males 94(33.6%). This was found statistically significant (p>< 0.05). Age groups 31-40 recorded highest infection (11.0% and 22.8%) in both male and females respectively. Those in 18-20year age groups in males recorded no infection. A total of 9(2.6%) HIV infections were recorded. Females were more infected 4(5.7%) than males 5(1.7%). This was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). The age groups 31-40 were more infected (0.9%and 0.3%) in both male and females while the least (0.3% and 0.3%) was recorded among the age groups 41-50 years in males and 61> age groups in females respectively. A total of 8(2.3%) for T.vaginalis and HIV co-infection was recorded. Females recorded more 2(2.8%) infection than males 6(2.1%). Age groups 31- 40 years recorded highest infection (0.8%) while 41-50 age groups were least (0.3%) infected in both male and females respectively. Those in age groups 18-20 and 61> recorded no infection in both male and females. Questionnaire analysis shows that long-term duration in prison and late deworming at a considerable interval influences intestinal parasite infection. This was statistically significant (p< 0.05). Multiple sexual partners and unprotected sex were among the factors that influences transmission of T.vaginalis and HIV infection but was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). Inmates showed intestinal parasite symptoms like watery stool 50(29.2%) and stool accompanied with blood 11(6.4%). Inmates showed T.vaginalis symptoms like light burning sensation 12(12.8%) and itching/rashes 18(31.0%). Intestinal parasites, T.vaginalis and HIV infection are prevalent among inmates of Umuahia prisons. Adequate and improved healthcare should be provided inside the prisons to enhance their health status especially with regards to parasitic infections. Proper awareness health risk factors for transmission ofthese infections should be ensured.