A review on the prevalence of Human Giardiasis in some selected States in Nigeria

Abstract

Authors: Yusuf Buhari, Salisu Mansur Dabai & Abubakar Abdulazeez

Giardiasis is caused by Giardia doudenalis and is a protozoan parasitic infection associated with poor socioeconomic conditions and therefore most commonly found in highly impoverished countries. This disease is associated with public clusters such as correctional and day care centers as well as public recreational centers such as swimming pools, especially in absence of good personal and environmental hygiene. It is often transmitted through infected fomites, contaminated water and food. Because sexual transmission has been documented, coinfection with HIV/AIDS have been reported and the disease has been declared a member of venereal diseases, hence, an opportunistic infection in immunocompromised hosts. It has been seen in various ages, but prevalence is mostly higher among children, which has been associated with transmission through the fecal-oral route due to such behaviors as encopresis, finger sucking, sand eating and nail biting among others. This review assesses the prevalence of Giardiasis in some states in Nigeria through convenient sampling of available literature.