A retrospective study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts among diarrhoeic children (n = 650), aged between 0 and 15 years, living in Maiduguri metropolis (n = 220), Bama local government area (n = 278) and Gwoza local government area (n = 152). Stool samples were concentrated using the ethyl acetate sedimentation method. Data of stool samples with Cryptosporidium oocysts from patients within the specified age groups were collected and analysed. The overall prevalence was 42.9%. The prevalence was higher in Maiduguri metropolis 45.0%, which is an urban area as compared to Gwoza and Bama combined together 41.8% which are rural areas but not statistically significant at 95% confidence level (P > 0.05; OR = 1.14; CI = 0.82, 1.58). According to age, the prevalence in age group A (0-10 years) was higher (46.8%) as compared to age group B (11 < 15 years), which was 20.8%, and this was statistically significant at 95% confidence level (P < 0.05; OR = 3.34; CI = 1.98, 5.61). According to gender, males showed a higher prevalence (52.5%) compared with females (47.5%), but this was not statistically significant at 95% confidence level (P > 0.05; OR = 1.13; CI = 0.82, 1.53). Seasonal prevalence showed that hot dry months of March and April were higher compared with other months. Our findings indicate the presence of the pathogen in children in Borno State, Nigeria, with higher odds of the infection in younger children, and dry months may be more associated with the infection. Control and preventive measures should be taken to protect younger children from the infection.
Keywords: Cryptosporidium oocysts; Prevalence; arid region; cryptosporidiosis; diarrhoeic children; north-eastern Nigeria.
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