DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i06.057

Pages: 3127-3131

Cryptosporidiosis is an important major cause of enteric parasitic infection among infants and children in developing countries with morbidity and mortality especially among immunocompetent individuals. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of enteric cryptosporidiosis in children presenting with diarrhea in Ibadan. Two-Hundred and Fifty (250) children with diarrhea age1month to 10years, living in urban areas (n-97) and rural area (n- 153). Samples were collected, stained by modified acid stain, and examined microscopically for oocysts. The over all prevalence was 11.2% (28/250). According to age, the prevalence in age groups 1-5years was higher in female 21.9% while male was 15.4% but in age 6-10yrs the prevalence was higher in male 9.3% while female was 6.8%. There is no significant difference (p> 0.5). The prevalence was more in rural areas and in patients ward with 7.2% and 6.8% respectively as compared with urban and out-patients with 4.0% and 4.4% respectively. More so, infections was more prevalent among children in primary schools (15.0%) followed by hose in Day care centres (10.9%) while hose in Post primary schools yielded the least (4.2%) prevalence. There was significant difference as regards school related prevalence rate(p < o.05). Cryptosporidium infection is an important cause of diarrhea in children. Clinicians and medical laboratory scientist should be encouraged to include cryptosporidium spp diagnostic techniques while dealing with diarrhea stool samples in patients especially in young children.