Environmental and Behavioural Factors Associated with Cryptosporidiosis among HIV/AIDS Patients in a Primary Health Centre in Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Cryptosporidium is one of the micro-organisms associated with diarrhoea in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Diarrhoea remains one of the most important health problems globally and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised individuals accounting for over 50 million deaths worldwide. This study was a cross-sectional study conducted in one of the primary healthcare centres in Northwestern part of Nigeria. Consented participants were administered a questionnaire to get information on their sociodemographic factors, risk factors, and behavioural practices. Stool samples were collected from HIV/AIDS positive patients and processed using formol formalin-ether concentration method. Smears were made from the sediment and stained using Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining for the detection of oocysts of Cryptosporidium. The study recruited 185 HIV-positive patients with a 29.2% prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection, with higher rates among individuals aged 36–55 years. Females were slightly more affected than males. Environmental and behavioural factors played key roles, as infection was higher among those using tap water and pit latrines. Boiling water was found to be protective (p = 0.001), whereas contact with animals significantly increased infection risk (p = 0.025). The study showed a high Cryptosporidium infection rate (29.2%) among HIV/AIDS patients in Northwestern Nigeria, confirming it as a major opportunistic pathogen causing morbidity in immunocompromised individuals. Boiling water and environmental hygeine were identified as protective practices. The findings emphasize the need for improved hygiene, safe water practices, regular screening, and strengthened HIVmanagement to reduce infection rates.