Deku John Gameli, Botchway Kwesi Amoah, Kinanyok Silas, Gedzeah Charles Kwame, Duneeh Richard Vikpebah, Duedu Kwabena Obeng
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana.
Laboratory Department, St. Mary Theresa Hospital, Dodi Papase, Ghana.
J Pathog. 2022 Aug 22;2022:5652637. doi: 10.1155/2022/5652637. eCollection 2022.
Parasitic infections among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients are common in various regions and populations across the world and have since remained a persistent public health challenge. Sub-Saharan Africa harbors the greatest burden of the infections due to sociodemographic and behavioral factors. However, the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections among HIV-infected persons has been poorly investigated in Ghana.
This study sought to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections and associated factors in HIV-infected individuals attending the antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic in St. Mary Theresa Hospital, Dodi Papase.
A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2021 to September 2021 among three hundred and thirty-five HIV-infected individuals in the study area. Sociodemographic and behavioral factors were collected with the aid of a close-ended structured questionnaire. Furthermore, stool samples were collected from each participant and examined for the presence of intestinal parasites by microscopy using direct wet mount, formol-ether concentration, and modified Ziehl-Neelsen (Zn) techniques. Data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 and Graphpad Prism version 8.
The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infections was 5.97%. Species-specific prevalence was found to be 2.99% for , 1.19% for and 0.90% each for and . There was a significant association between participants' educational level and intestinal parasitic infection. In addition, gastrointestinal parasitic infections were not found to be associated with age. Unemployed participants, those with a lower frequency of deworming, and those who do not use water closet toilet facilities were at a higher risk of getting infected.
The lower infection rate recorded in this study suggests that public health interventions put in place are yielding significant results. Even though the prevalence is low, routine screening of all HIV-infected patients for parasitic infection is recommended to ensure timely, effective treatment and comprehensive care.
人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）感染患者中的寄生虫感染在世界各地的不同地区和人群中很常见，并且一直是持续存在的公共卫生挑战。由于社会人口统计学和行为因素，撒哈拉以南非洲地区的感染负担最为沉重。然而，加纳对HIV感染者中胃肠道寄生虫感染的患病率研究较少。
本研究旨在确定在多迪帕帕斯圣玛丽特雷莎医院抗逆转录病毒治疗（ART）诊所就诊的HIV感染者中胃肠道寄生虫感染的患病率及其相关因素。
2021年6月至2021年9月，在研究区域对335名HIV感染者进行了一项横断面研究。借助封闭式结构化问卷收集社会人口统计学和行为因素。此外，从每位参与者收集粪便样本，并使用直接湿涂片、甲醛乙醚浓缩和改良齐尔-尼尔森（Zn）技术通过显微镜检查肠道寄生虫的存在情况。使用社会科学统计软件包（SPSS）22.0版和Graphpad Prism 8版对获得的数据进行分析。
胃肠道寄生虫感染的患病率为5.97%。特定物种的患病率分别为：[具体物种1]为2.99%，[具体物种2]为1.19%，[具体物种3]和[具体物种4]各为0.90%。参与者的教育水平与肠道寄生虫感染之间存在显著关联。此外，未发现胃肠道寄生虫感染与年龄有关。失业参与者、驱虫频率较低的参与者以及不使用抽水马桶设施的参与者感染风险较高。
本研究记录的较低感染率表明所实施的公共卫生干预措施正在产生显著效果。尽管患病率较低，但建议对所有HIV感染患者进行寄生虫感染的常规筛查，以确保及时、有效的治疗和全面护理。
