The Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infection and Associated Factors Among Primary School Children in Gurage Zone, South Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Intestinal parasites are either helminths or protozoan that inhabit in gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal parasites cause considerable morbidity and mortality in the world, especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. Both urban and rural inhabitants are vulnerable to infection with intestinal parasites in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) and associated factors among primary school in Meskan District, Gurage Zone, EthiopiaResult: Of 496 selected school children, 463 participated in the study with full information for analysis. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was 195 (42.1%). Protozoa infections (59.5%) were more prevalent than soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) infections (40.5%). The predominant parasites were Giardia lamblia (47.7%) followed by A. lumbricoides(18.9%), and E.histolytica/dispar (11.8%). Being female with Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR), 1.3, 95%CI, 1.02-2.26), Residence of school being rural (AOR, 0.63, 95%CI, 0.42-0.96), infrequent use of latrine (AOR ,1.31, 95%CI 0.86-2.00), not hand washing after defecation (AOR, 1.48, 95%CI, 0.37-5.88), hand washing sometimes or not at all before meal (AOR, 1.97, 95%CI, 1.25-3.09)⃰, infrequent wearing of shoes (AOR, 1.49, 95%CI 0.96-2.32)  and finger nail not trimmed (AOR,  0.99 95%CI, 0.66-1.51) were the predictors of intestinal parasitic infection in the study population. The study revealed that the presence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections (IPIs) has shown statistically significant association with frequency of hand washing before meal, sex and school location (p < 0.05).Conclusion:Intestinal parasititic infections (IPIs) are major public health problem in primary school children in the study area. Being female, attending urban and infrequent handwashing before meals increase the risk of parasitic infections. Health education to school children is recommended to improve hand washing practice before meals.

Keywords: intestinal parasitic infection, school children, risk factors, Meskane district