Intestinal helminthiasis among inmates of Jos prison, Plateau State, Nigeria

Prison inmates are among the high risk population for dangerous helminthes infections and other contagious diseases. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis among prison inmates in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Fresh stool samples from 300 inmates in Jos central prison were screened for helminthes infections using Formal-ether concentration and Kato-Katz techniques. Of the 300 inmates examined, 27(9.00%) were infected with at least one of the four species of intestinal helminthes isolated: Ascaris lumbricoides (1.91%), Ancylostoma duodenale (2.21%), Schistosoma mansoni (4.18%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (0.33%). Helminthes infection was highest among inmates within age group <20 (16.10%). The prevalence of helminthes infection with respect to various prison units showed that inmates serving jail terms were most parasitized (14.00%). In relation to gender, male had the prevalence of 9.25% while no female inmate was infected with intestinal helminthes. There was no statistical relationship between the prevalence of intestinal helminthiasis (P> 0.05) with respect to age groups and the various prison units. Efforts to promote hygienic practices and health education were highly recommended.