Opportunistic and intestinal parasite infections
are common health problem among
HIV/AIDS patients. Early detection and treatment
of these parasites are important to
improve the quality of life of this category of
patients. The occurrence of intestinal parasites
among 400 patients on highly active antiretroviral
drug therapy (HAART) aged 11-60
years was investigated. Standard parasitological
techniques like direct microscopy, formol
ether concentration and modified ZiehlNeelsen
staining techniques were used to analyze
the stool samples. Intestinal parasite
infections were positive in 116 (29%) of the
subjects on HAART while control subjects had
12 (12%) and the difference was statistically
significant (P<0.05). Subjects in the age group
21-30 years had the highest infection rate 54
(35.1%). There was no statistically significant
difference in infection according to age
(P>0.05). Females 76 (32.5%) had a higher
prevalence rate than males 40 (24.1%). But
there was no statistically significant difference
in infection according to gender (P>0.05).
Patients with CD4 count of less than 200
cells/mm3 were observed to be more infected
than those with CD4 count of more than 200
cells/mm3. There was a strong positive correlation
(r=0.94) between CD4 count and the
occurrence of intestinal parasite infection.
Protozoan parasites 84 (21.0%) accounted for
a higher prevalence rate than helminthic parasites
32 (8.0%). These findings has revealed a
high prevalence of intestinal parasite infection
among patients on HAART thus the routine
screening of stool samples from these category
of patients for intestinal parasites is advocated
for effective management of the disease