Abstract:
Cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis are common infections in humans in Kenya and
Cryptosporidiosis in particular is an opportunistic infection in HIV-infected individuals.
Diarrhoeal disease caused by these parasites is a major public health problem particularly in
countries with poor socioeconomic status. The study on Cryptosporidium species and Giardia
lamblia was carried out in Siaya county referral hospital and was conducted to assess the
prevalence and risk factors associated with these two parasitic infections. Estimation of CD4+T-
lymphocyte count was also performed to determine immune status of the patients. A single stool
and blood specimen was collected from each of the 384 patients attending hospital laboratory with
diarrhoea. The stool specimens were processed for Cryptosporidium species and G. lamblia using
ELISA (Giardia II/Cryptosporidium II) test and microscopy while the CD4+T-lymphocyte count
was estimated using flow cytometry. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on
demographic information and risk factors associated with these infections. Overall prevalence of
G. lamblia was 20.3% while Cryptosporidium species was 7.6%. There were no significant
difference observed in Cryptosporidium species and G. lamblia infection in relation to sex and age
of the patient (p>0.05). Risk factors such as immune status, level of education, source of water and
waste disposal were not significantly associated with Cryptosporidium species and G. lamblia
infection (p>0.05). However, hand washing practice using soap was significant (p<0.05). It was
concluded that Cryptosporidium and G. lamblia are prevalent in patients attending Siaya county
referral hospital with diarrhoea. In relation to immune status of the patients it was concluded that
patients were not at risk of developing chronic diarrhoea. There is need for public health education
to be enhanced on personal hygiene especially washing hands with soap which greatly reduces
giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis.
