Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Ghana: A Review of Infections and the Risk of Zoonotic Transmission.

Abstract

Intestinal parasites pose a risk to public health globally, causing a high economic burden in developing countries. Most diagnostic methods aimed at detecting these parasites in hospital settings are not sensitive to recovering parasites. Hence, the prevalence of these diseases remains a challenge in areas of poor environmental sanitation and inadequate diagnostic tools. Control strategies are critical but may need a deep understanding of the epidemiology of parasitic diseases. In Ghana, intestinal parasitic infections are considered to be an important public health issue. Despite efforts to reduce the burden of infections, these parasites continue to spread. As such, this review is aimed at bringing up to date the existing information on the burden of intestinal parasites in Ghana by compiling available publications from 1975 to 2023. Emphasis is made on parasitic infections in vulnerable groups, livestock and the risk of zoonotic transmission. There is a need for more surveillance efforts to determine the dynamics of infections as well as intensify mass education.