Prevalence and risk factors associated with cryptosporidiosis among children within the ages 0-5 years attending the Limbe regional hospital, southwest region, Cameroon.
BACKGROUND
Cryptosporidiosis is a pathological condition caused by infection with coccidian protozoan parasites Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium is one of the most common causes of childhood diarrhea in developing countries. So far, no data has been published on its prevalence among children with diarrhea in Cameroon. This study was therefore, designed to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with Cryptosporidiosis among children within the ages 0-5 years suffering from diarrhea and being attended to at the Limbe Regional Hospital.


METHODS
The study was a hospital based analytical cross-sectional study involving children within the ages 0-5 years (n = 112) hospitalized or consulted in the pediatric departments of the hospital between April 2018 and May 2018. Stool specimens were processed using the modified acid-fast staining method, and microscopically examined for Cryptosporidium infection.


RESULTS
A total of 112 participants were recruited out of which 67 presented with diarrhea. A high prevalence 9/67 (13.40%) of Cryptosporidium was noticed in children with diarrhea than children without diarrhea 1/45 (2.2%). There was a significant relationship (p = 0.041) between prevalence of Cryptosporidium and the presence of diarrhea in children within the ages 0-5 years in the Limbe Regional Hospital. It was realized that children from parents with primary level of education, children whose parents did not respect exclusive breastfeeding and those whose parents were giving them pipe borne water for drinking recorded a higher prevalence.


CONCLUSIONS
This study revealed an overall prevalence of 8.9% for Cryptosporidium among children of ages 0-5 years that attended the Limbe Regional Hospital. The prevalence among children that presented with diarrhea was 13.4%. The study clearly demonstrated that Cryptosporidium is an important protozoal etiologic agent for children with diarrhea in Limbe.
['Tombang|Atsimbom Neville|AN|', 'Ambe|Ngwa Fabrice|NF|', 'Bobga|Tanyi Pride|TP|', 'Nkfusai|Claude Ngwayu|CN|', 'Collins|Ngandeu Mongoue|NM|', 'Ngwa|Sangwe Bertrand|SB|', 'Diengou|Ngwene Hycentha|NH|', 'Cumber|Samuel Nambile|SN|']
D000818:Animals D001942:Breast Feeding D002163:Cameroon D002675:Child, Preschool D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D003457:Cryptosporidiosis D003458:Cryptosporidium D003906:Developing Countries D003967:Diarrhea D004522:Educational Status D005260:Female D006761:Hospitals D006801:Humans D007223:Infant D007231:Infant, Newborn D008297:Male D010290:Parents D015995:Prevalence D012307:Risk Factors
Prevalence Risk factors Cryptosporidiosis Limbe Children 0–5 years