7 International Journal of Research and Sustainable Development Volume 10, Number 1, 2024. ISSN: 2276-6111 Copyright© Pan-African Book Company 2024 www.panafricanjournal.org PREVALENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITE AMONG OUT-PATIENTS AT EKET GENERAL HOSPITAL AND UNIVERSITY OF UYO TEACHING HOSPITAL Afia, U. U 1 ., Avoaja, D. A 2 . and Etuk, I. N. 1 1 Dept. of Animal and Environmental Biology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria 2 Dept. of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria ABSTRACT Gastrointestinal parasites are parasites that infects the gastrointestinal tract of human and other animals. This study was carried out to identify the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites among out-patients at Immanuel General Hospital, Eket and University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. A total of 100 samples (50 from each hospitals) were collected and examined for Gastrointestinal parasites and out of the 100 samples, 7 (7%) were infected, The Gastrointestinal parasites identified were Entamoeba histolytica (3%), Giardia lamblia (2%), Schistosoma mansoni (1%) and Enterobius vermicularis (1%). Infection was only recorded among participants of age group 20-30 (3%), 31-40 (3%) and 51-60 (1%). Prevalence of infection between University of Uyo Teaching Hospital and Immanuel General Hospital, Eket was not significant (P<0.05), infection was higher at University of Uyo teaching Hospital (4%) than at Immanuel General Hospital, Eket (3%). To prevent the continuous spread of gastrointestinal parasites, Individuals should perform High level of environmental sanitation and personal hygiene, Disinfection of water bodies to avoid the ingestion of intestinal parasites and They should be enlighten on the ways in which they can acquire gastrointestinal parasites as well as the risk it poses to their health. Doing this will help in reducing the transmission and spread of gastrointestinal parasites. INTRODUCTION Gastrointestinal parasites are parasites that infects the gastrointestinal tract of human and other animals (Rashidul, 2011). The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract, digestive tract, alimentary canal) is the tract or passageway of the digestive system that leads from the mouth to the anus and the gastrointestinal tract contains all the major organs of the digestive system, in humans and other animals, including the esophagus, stomach, and intestines (Taruna et al., 2014). The Two main types of gastrointestinal parasites are Intestinal Protozoa and Intestinal helminth (Rashidul, 2011). Intestinal Protozoa Parasites are parasites transmitted by consumption of contaminated water and food and mainly affect children and elder people and cause considerable health problems and they are the leading causes of outpatient morbidity due to diarrhea in the developing countries (Gryseels et al, 2011). Intestinal Helminths (intestinal worms) are large macro parasites that are soil transmitted and infect the gastrointestinal tract; adults can generally be seen with the naked eye (Bethony et al., 2012). The most important intestinal helminths, both in terms of abundance and disease burden, are soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) such as hookworms, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Trichuris trichiura (Chalaet al., 2013). It is estimated that STHs infect more than two billion people or more than a third of the world’s population (Bethony et al., 2012). Also, the Schistosoma spp. and blood flukes are of great public health importance, with more than 250 million people infected worldwide (Gryseels et al, 2011). Correspondence Author: Afia, U. U.