1PhD candidate in Biomedical Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2Ethiopia Public Health Institute, EPHI, P. O. Box 1242, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
3Department of Microbial Cellular and Molecular Biology, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box -1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) in Ethiopia are a significant health problem and vary in different regions and with age. We examined associations between IPI and local risk factors at the age 7-19 years in primary schoolchildren, Gurage zone.
Methodology: In 2014-2015, a study on 680 primary schoolchildren (school based cohort) was conducted at Enemorena-Ener and Abeshege Districts of Gurage zone, South central Ethiopia. Fresh stool samples were collected and processed by Kato-Katz and formol-ether concentration methods. Socio-demographic and economic factors were assessed through a questionnaire, observation, interviews, focus group discussions and document review. SPSS statistical software version 16 was used and P-value <0.05 was re- ported as statistically significant.
Result: The overall prevalence of IPI was 40% (180/450) in Enemorena-Ener and 38.7% (89/230) in Abeshege Districts. The preva- lence of the respective parasites in the two Districts was comparable, except for the few cases of S. mansoni in Abeshege. Female (AOR 2.93, 95% CI 1.59 - 5.37, p < 0.001), not washing hands after defecation (AOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.25 - 2.92, p < 0.001), not hand washing practice before meal (AOR 2.57, 95% CI 1.45 - 4.56, P < 0.001), using unprotected water (AOR 3.94, 95% CI 2.84 - 5.45, P < 0.001), lack of latrine (AOR 0.11, 95% CI 0.06 - 0.21, P < 0.001), and family size more than five (AOR 3.73,95% CI 2.04 - 6.8, P < 0.001) had significant association with IPI.
Higher age category ≥ 15 years (AOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.01 - 2.84, P = 0.048), lack of latrine at home (AOR 2.16 95% CI 1.17 - 3.97, P = 0.01), not wearing shoes (AOR 0.03, 95% CI 0.02 - 0.06, P < 0.001) had significant association with hookworm infection. Not wash- ing hands before eating (AOR 6.80, 95% CI 3.87 - 11.97, P < 0.001) and after defecation (AOR 0.33,95% CI 0.22 - 0.49, P < 0.001), lack of latrine at home (AOR 0.40, 95% CI 0.25 - 0.68, P < 0.001), illiterate mother (AOR 1.65 95% CI 1.09 - 2.49, P = 0.02) and use of unprotected water (AOR 20.00, 95% CI 10.14 - 43.64, P < 0.001) showed a significant association with giardiasis. Children use of unprotected water (AOR 0.51,95% CI, 0.33 - 0.79, P = 0.002), children who did not wash hands before eating (AOR 6.52, 95% CI 3.69 - 11.54, P < 0.001) and after defecation (AOR 0.59, 95% CI 0.39 - 0.88, P = 0.01) and children whose age ten to fourteen years old (AOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.17 - 2.86, P = 0.01) and lack of latrine at home (AOR 1.03, 95% CI 0.61 - 0.93, P < 0.001), had significant association with ascaris infection.
Conclusion: A high prevalence with an average low IPI was found among schoolchildren, Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and Giar- dia infections were being most common. Low personal hygiene, use of unprotected water, lack of latrine, not wearing shoes and large family size were important predictors for IPIs.
keywords: Children; Health; Helminths; Risk Factors; Intestinal Parasitosis; Prevalence; Southwest Ethiopia
Melesse Birmeka., et al. “Prevalence and determinants of intestinal parasitic infections among primary schoolchildren in Gurage zone, South central Ethiopia”. EC Microbiology 8.2 (2017): 59-70.
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