Status of intestinal parasites in inmates of a correctional facility, Jos, Nigeria

Correctional inmates are among the vulnerable groups to intestinal parasitic infections due to deprived situations characterized by inadequate facilities, malnutrition, scarce potable water, over-crowding, and poor hygiene. Two hundred and fifty faeces of inmates of Jos Correctional Facility were investigated for the prevalence of intestinal parasites between May and June 2019, using the wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques. Results obtained showed that from the 250 faecal samples examined, 57(22.8%) were infected with various intestinal parasites. Nine (9) different intestinal parasites identified were Entamoeba histolytica 38.60%), Entamoeba coli (15.78%), Ancylostoma duodenale (4.04%), Ascaris lumbricoides (0.53%), Taeniasp (8.77%), Schistosoma mansoni (3.51%), Giardia lamblia (3.51%), Enterobius vermicularis (3.51%) and Trichuris trichuria (1.75%). The 9 different intestinal parasites were grouped into helminthes (42.1%) and protozoa (57.9%). Higher infection rate of 45.6% was recorded among those within age ranges 21-30 years. Inmates who were in prison for