Prevalence of Salmonellosis among Undergraduate Students in Owerri Metropolis, Nigeria

Due to the rigorous nature of tertiary education, some students struggle to maintain good hygiene and healthy eating habits, predisposing them to infectious diseases. This study assessed the presence and prevalence of Salmonella infection among undergraduate students in Owerri Metropolis. Stool samples were collected from 97 students (24 males and 73 females) and cultured on Salmonella and Shigella agar. Out of the 97 students tested, 18(18.55%) tested positive, with the highest 10(55.56%) intensive prevalence coming from Salmonella typhimurium, followed by Salmonella paratyphi 7(38.89%) and Salmonella typhi 1(5.55%). The final-year students showed the highest number of Salmonella infections. The result also revealed the highest infection rate of 9(50.00%) among students aged 18-20 years in their first year of study, while the older students recorded a low infection rate of 1(5.56%). It is, therefore, very important that awareness of good hygiene and preventive measures for salmonellosis and other similar infections are intensified.