Abstract:
Abstract
Correctional inmates are among the vulnerable groups to intestinal parasitic infections due to deprived
situations characterized by inadequate facilities, malnutrition, scarce potable water, over-crowding, and
poor hygiene. Two hundred and fifty faeces of inmates of Jos Correctional Facility were investigated for the
prevalence of intestinal parasites between May and June 2019, using the wet mount and formol-ether
concentration techniques. Results obtained showed that from the 250 faecal samples examined, 57(22.8%)
were infected with various intestinal parasites. Nine (9) different intestinal parasites identified were
Entamoeba histolytica 38.60%), Entamoeba coli (15.78%), Ancylostoma duodenale (4.04%), Ascaris lumbricoides
(0.53%), Taeniasp (8.77%), Schistosoma mansoni (3.51%), Giardia lamblia (3.51%), Enterobius vermicularis
(3.51%) and Trichuris trichuria (1.75%). The 9 different intestinal parasites were grouped into helminthes
(42.1%) and protozoa (57.9%). Higher infection rate of 45.6% was recorded among those within age
ranges 21-30 years. Inmates who were in prison for <2 years had higher (56.1%) infection rates compared
with other inmates (43.9%). The findings are in agreement with similar studies from other penitentiaries in
Nigeria resulting in significant health problems among inmates including anemia, malabsorption in the
gastrointestinal tract and other complications. Thus, the need to scale up periodic routine examination of
all inmates including stool samples, hemogram and the prompt treatment of infected individuals would
significantly improve their health conditions
