Omoigberale A I, Airauhi L U
Department of Child Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City.
Niger J Clin Pract. 2006 Dec;9(2):109-13.
Intestinal parasitoses (IP) have been demonstrated to pose a major public health problem in the tropics. It is hypothesized that children are continually exposed to re-infection despite interventions. We conducted this hospital-based study to investigate knowledge, practices and perceptions among mothers of children seen at the hospital.
The study focused on knowledge, practices and perceptions of mothers concerning intestinal parasitoses in children. Questionnaires, which were interviewer administered, were used to generate qualitative data. Stool samples were collected from the study participants into labelled bottles for examination.
Majority of mothers belonging to the lower classes did not have access to good drinking water as demonstrated by 39%, 32% in classes III and II respectively while no mother in class V got water from reliable sources: The low level of knowledge about IP was demonstrated by the claim that it was inevitable with the following 68.9% , 56.5%, 44.0% of mothers in social classes V, IV and III respectively. Infection rates increased with lowering social status. More males than females were infected but the difference was not significant (P> 0.05). Peak infection was among children aged between 3 + and 4 years.
The low level of knowledge, practices and perceptions of mothers concerning IP is a major cause for worry. Urgent consideration should therefore be given in order to periodically treat infected children, enlighted mothers about mode of transmission of IP and also to improve sanitation in deprived areas so as to reduce the rate of transmission.
肠道寄生虫病（IP）已被证明是热带地区的一个主要公共卫生问题。据推测，尽管采取了干预措施，儿童仍不断面临再次感染的风险。我们开展了这项基于医院的研究，以调查在该医院就诊儿童的母亲们的知识、行为和认知情况。
该研究聚焦于母亲们对儿童肠道寄生虫病的知识、行为和认知。通过访谈者管理的问卷来收集定性数据。从研究参与者那里采集粪便样本，放入贴有标签的瓶子中进行检查。
大多数下层阶级的母亲无法获得优质饮用水，分别有39%、32%的II类和III类母亲如此，而V类母亲中没有一人能从可靠水源获得水：关于肠道寄生虫病的知识水平较低，这体现在分别有68.9%、56.5%、44.0%的V类、IV类和III类社会阶层母亲声称这是不可避免的。感染率随着社会地位的降低而上升。男性感染人数多于女性，但差异不显著（P>0.05）。感染高峰出现在3岁以上至4岁的儿童中。
母亲们对肠道寄生虫病的知识、行为和认知水平较低是一个主要令人担忧的问题。因此，应立即考虑定期治疗受感染儿童，向母亲们宣传肠道寄生虫病的传播方式，并改善贫困地区的卫生条件，以降低传播率。
