Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Their Transmission Risk Factors among Inmates of Naivasha and Kisii Prisons in Kenya

Parasites live off a host to survive where they grow, reproduce and invade organ systems therefore causing parasitic infections. Among the ten most common parasitic infections according to world health organization are hookworm, ascariasis, amoebiasis and trichuriasis. Parasitic infections in endemic countries shorten lives and impose a lifelong burden on the potential for advancement. Limited studies have been carried out to establish the prevalence of intestinal parasites among neglected and institutionalized groups of the population such as prison inmates which justified the need to establish the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) among inmates of Kisii and Naivasha prisons in Kenya. A cross-sectional study was used. Four hundred inmates after sampling, provided stool samples for analysis. Formal-ether concentration techniques was used for identification of helminths eggs and cysts of protozoa while direct wet mount using saline and iodine was used for microscopic examination of loose stool for identification of trophozoites of protozoa. Data on the predisposing factors were collected using structured questionnaire and focus group discussion. Chi Square test was used to determine the association between age groups and sex while odds ratio was used to determine the association of personal hygiene and infection by intestinal parasites. The prevalence rate of intestinal parasites was 84(20.84%) with Kisii prison having a prevalence of 37(20.04%) while Naivasha prison having 47(21.56%). Intestinal protozoa infections were higher 50(12.4%) than helminthes 28(10.4%). Intestinal protozoa identified were Entamoeba histolytica 30(7.4%) and Giardia lamblia 20(4.9%) while the intestinal helminthes identified were Ascaris lumbricoides 22(5.5%), Strongyloides stercolaris 2(0.5%) and hookworms 4(1.0%). Chi square test showed that significantly more females were infected than males (χ² = 12.53, P=0.016, df = 2) as well as inmates of 18-27 years in both prisons (χ² = 9.36, P=0.007, df = 28). Correlation coefficient indicated that the infections increased with lack of footwear (OR 2.68, Cl 0.94-3.41), failures to hand wash before meals (OR 2.88, Cl 0.93-3.36) and after toilet use (OR 2.19, Cl 1.02-4.44). Provision of health education and personal hygiene and sanitation, more pit latrines with enough water points for hand washing as well as sufficient footwear is recommended to reduce the IPIs in the prisons. This can be facilitated by the officers-in-charge in collaboration with the Ministry of health.