Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Hygiene Practices among School-Aged Children in the Kumasi Metropolitan District, Ghana
Sr No:
Page No:
1-14
Language:
English
Authors:
Aquel Rene Lopez*, Berkoh Prince, Agnes Agyapomaa, Osafo Marfo Shallon, Eunice Danso, Emmanuel Amponsah, George Owusu
Received:
2025-12-19
Accepted:
2026-01-21
Published Date:
2026-02-03
Abstract:
Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) remain a significant public health concern,
particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal
parasitic infections and examine the association between demographic factors, hygiene practices,
and infection rates among school-aged children in the Kumasi Metropolitan District, Ghana. A
cross-sectional study was conducted involving 400 participants aged 4-15 years, with stool
samples analyzed using microscopic techniques to detect parasites. A structured questionnaire
was administered to collect data on participants' demographic characteristics and hygiene
practices.
Results: The study found a low overall prevalence of intestinal parasites, with only 2.7% of
participants testing positive. The majority of participants (66.2%) were female, and most lived in
urban areas (75.1%). High levels of hygiene practices were reported, with 91.4% of participants
washing their hands after using the toilet, and 99% washing before eating. Furthermore, most
participants had access to improved sanitation facilities, including water closet toilets. Despite
this, over half (50.2%) of participants could not recall their last deworming treatment.
Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between the prevalence of intestinal
parasites and demographic or hygiene-related variables, suggesting uniform exposure risk across
the study population. The lack of significant findings may be attributed to the low infection rate,
small sample size of infected individuals, and reliance on self-reported data. The study suggests
that the low infection rate could be due to improved sanitation, access to safe drinking water, and
effective hygiene practices in the community.
Conclusion: In conclusion, while the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections remains low in
this population, continued public health education, regular deworming, and improvements in
sanitation infrastructure are essential to sustain and further reduce infection rates. Future studies
should focus on monitoring seasonal trends, exploring behavioral factors, and implementing
more sensitive diagnostic methods to ensure more accurate assessments of parasitic infections.
Keywords:
Intestinal parasitic infections, Prevalence, Hygiene practices, Deworming.