Studies on Some Aspects of the Epidemiology of Giardiasis Among Primary School Age Children in Lokoja, Kogi State

Giardiasis, caused by Giardia intestinalis is a common intestinal parasitic disease and a major public health concern in low- and middle-income countries. School aged children are particularly vulnerable due to poor hygiene, unsafe water and inadequate sanitation. In Nigeria, infection rates vary by region and are influenced by environmental, socioeconomic and behavioral factors (Magaji et al., 2021). The purpose of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of Giardia intestinalis and evaluate related environmental risk factors in Lokoja primary school students. Four hundred students from public and private primary schools were chosen using a multistage sampling technique as part of a cross-sectional study design. Structured questionnaires were used to gather sociodemographic data and evaluate eating patterns, sanitation practices, water sources, environmental exposures, and giardiasis knowledge. Direct saline and Lugol's iodine wet mount microscopy were used to collect and analyze stool samples in order to identify cysts and trophozoites. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square tests to determine associations between infection and potential risk factors at a significance level of p < .05. Giardia intestinalis was found to be moderately endemic in the study population, with an overall prevalence of 9.25%. Younger children, especially those between the ages of five and seven, had higher infection rates. The use of untreated water sources, open defecation habits, the presence of stagnant water near residential areas, and inadequate awareness of prevention and transmission were all found to be significantly associated with infection (p <.05). Children who lived in locations with inadequate drainage systems or ate fruits and vegetables that had not been adequately cleaned showed a higher risk of infection. These results highlight how important water quality and environmental sanitation are to maintaining transmission dynamics.