http://etd.aau.edu.et:80/dspace/handle/123456789/510 Search the Channel search http://etd.aau.edu.et:80/dspace/simple-search http://etd.aau.edu.et:80/dspace/handle/123456789/3122 Title: PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHES AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN IN ABOSA AROUND LAKE ZWAY, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA <br/> <br/>Authors: GEZAHEGN, SOLOMON <br/> <br/>Abstract: Soil-transmitted helminths infections represent a major public health problem in poor and developing countries. This is more so in school going children. To initiate prevention and control measure for these neglected diseases, adequate information is required among high-risk group. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, intensity and associated risk factors for Soil-transmitted helminths and S.mansoni infections among Abosa elementary school childern, around Lake Zway in Southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional parasitological study, involving 405 school children, was conducted at Abosa elementary school from April 8-15, 2007. A structured questionnaire and observation for demographic and associated risk factors for STH and S.mansoni infections were used. Stool Samples were collected and examined for helminth eggs by Kato-Katz technique to determine the prevalence and intensity of STH and S.mansoni infectons. Data was entered and analyzed by SPSS version 13 Statistical packages software. The overall prevalence for at least one intestinal helminthic infections was 43.7 %( 177/405). The most frequent intestinal helminths were A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and hookworms with a prevalence of 20.5 %( 83/405), 19.3 %( 78/405) and 14.3 %( 58/405), respectively. Majority 32.2 %( 131/405) of the students had single infection. None of the samples were positive for S.mansoni. The intensity of STH infection as measured by geometric mean of egg per gram of stool was generally low. The strongest predictors for STH infection using multiple regressions were non-usage of drilled water, habit of hand washing and dirty material on finger nail. In hookworm infection, logistic regression analysis confirmed that male children ≥10 year old age and not wearing shoe were statistically significant risk factor. On the basis of these results, it can be concluded that STH infections is an important problem among Abosa school children. According to WHO recommendation, we suggest broad-spectrum anthelminthic treatment with school health program for delivering health education to enhance their awareness in the transmission and control mechanisms of intestinal helminths. http://etd.aau.edu.et:80/dspace/handle/123456789/2928 Title: CURRENT STATUS OF SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI AND SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTHIASIS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN OF ADWA TOWN, NORTHERN ETHIOPIA <br/> <br/>Authors: LEMLEM, LEGESSE W\GABRIEL <br/> <br/>Abstract: Epidemiological study on public health problem of Schistosoma mansoni and soil-transmitted helminthes was carried out between October and November 2007, in 9 primary schools of Adwa town to determine the prevalence, intensity and associated risk factors for S. mansoni and soil- transmitted helminthes (STH). Fecal samples of 386 subjects aged 7-18 years, were examined using Kato-Katz and formol-ether concentration methods. A questionnaire was used to obtain socio-demographic information and associated risk factors for S. mansoni and STH infections. Data was analyzed using the SPSS statistical software. Both Kato-Katz and formol-ether concentration methods done on the 386 stool specimen revealed that 263(69%) had one or more intestinal parasites. S. mansoni infection was the most prevalent (63%), while the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis was found to be low. The prevalence of A. lumbricoides and hookworm infections were (6.4%) and (1%), respectively, whereas no infection of T. trichiura was found. Other parasites identified in this study were S. stercoralis (0.3%), H. nana (8.1%) and cysts of E. histolytica /dispar (1.8%). S. mansoni and A. lumbricoides were found in all age groups; but with no significant difference among the age groups. Intensity of S. mansoni and A. lumbricoides infection was generally low, except for 5.1% who have high intensity of S. mansoni infection. Double infection was found in 4% of the children. An association was not found between socio-demographic variables and STH infection. However, multiple regressions revealed that male gender (p<0.05, OR=1.72), swimming habit in rainy season (p<0.05, OR=2.12), and water contact while crossing the stream (p<0.05, OR=1.85) were significantly associated with S. mansoni infection. The high prevalence of S. mansoni infection among school children of Adwa town signifies the need for timely control measures in the study area. http://etd.aau.edu.et:80/dspace/handle/123456789/2915 Title: Prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella among Food Handlers in Catering Establishments in Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia <br/> <br/>Authors: Moges, Desta <br/> <br/>Abstract: Background: Food borne diseases such as salmonellosis, shigellosis and intestinal parasitosis remain a major public health problem across the globe. The problem is severe in developing countries due to difficulties in securing optimal hygienic food handling practices. Food handlers may be infected by a wide range of enteropathogens and have been implicated in the transmission of many infections to the public in the community and to patients in hospitals. In Ethiopia, published information about prevalence of enteric pathogens among food handlers is very scarce. Objective: To determine the prevalence of Salmonella, Shigella and Intestinal parasites among food handlers in catering establishments in Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia. Methodology: Cross sectional study was conducted from February 2010 through April 2010 at different catering establishments, in Hawassa University, Hawassa town, Ethiopia. Stool and blood specimens were collected from 272 food handlers. Microscopic examination and culture were performed on stool specimens for isolation of intestinal parasites and salmonella and shigella, respectively. In addition, all food handlers were screened for S. typhi using Widal test. Results: Of the total 272 food handlers screened for enteric pathogens, 20.6% were found to be positive for different types of intestinal parasites. Among the parasites, A. lumbricoides was the most prevalent parasite (9.6%), followed by S. stercoralis (2.2%) and E. histolytica /dispar (2.2%). Shigella spp. was detected in 0.4% of food handlers. No salmonella was detected in stool cultures. Twenty-two (8.1%) of food handlers were positive for Widal test. Conclusion: The findings of high prevalence of enteric pathogens among food handlers in the present study indicate the hygiene practice of the food-handlers working in catering establishments of the study site is very poor. Education and training in good-hygiene practices should be provided to all food-handling personnel which are effective means of preventing the transmission of enteric pathogens from food-handling personnel via food to consumers. http://etd.aau.edu.et:80/dspace/handle/123456789/2848 Title: PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS AMONG PATIENTS WHO ATTENDED TIKUR ANBESSA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, ETHIOPIA: A 5-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE STUDY <br/> <br/>Authors: Alemnesh, Tesema <br/> <br/>Abstract: Background: Intestinal parasitic infections cause serious public health problems in Ethiopia. They are prevalent in populations with low socio-economic status, overcrowding and poor hygiene. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among patients who had attended Tikur Anbessa University Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using Hospital data obtained from the Medical Parasitology unit in Tikur Anbessa University Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from April to June 2011. Patients with complete age, sex and stool parasite examination records on the parasitology registration book were included. Data was entered, cleaned and analysed using the SPSS, version 16.0 statistical package. Chi-square test (χ2) was used to identify associations between the variables using p<0.05 as the level of significance. Results: Over the five years study period, a total of 4977 patients visiting Tikur Anbessa Hospital were included in the study. The patients mean age was 31.86 (± 14.79) with female to male ratio being 1.2:1. A total of 1718 (34.5%) were positive for at least one intestinal parasite. Mixed infections were found in 123 (2.5%) of the total patients included in this study. Up to 3 parasites were detected in 8 (0.2%) of the patients. E.histolytica trophozoite was the most commonly reported parasite, which was seen in 13.6% of the patients. Isospora belli was the least commonly reported protozoan parasite (0.1%). Among helminths, Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent etiology of parasitic infections as reported in 4.4% of the patients. Enterobius vermicularis was identified only in 0.1%, thus the least common cause of helminths infections. In this study, the intestinal parasitic infections were most prevalent (43%) in patients between 5-14 years of age group. Conclusions and Recommendation: A notable finding from this study is the high prevalence of parasitic infections, with E. histolytica trophozoite as the most commonly reported one, among patients visiting Tikur Anbessa Hospital from 2006 to 2010. Overall, intestinal parasitic infections were more prevalent in patients among 5-14 years of age (43%). Appropriate heath education should be applied at Hospital level to patients who attend at Tikur Anbessa Hospital.