Pathology

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Browsing Pathology by Author "Beyene, Petros(Professor)"

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    Assessment of Malaria and Intestinal Parasites as Public Health Problems Based on Clinical Record, Parasitological Surveys and Kap in Borena District, South Wollo, Central-North Ethiopia
    (2010-07) Bereded, Fentaw; Beyene, Petros(Professor)
    The analysis of retrospective clinical records from Mekane-Selam Health Center showed high average annual malaria (25.0%) and intestinal parasite prevalence (46.3%). In the cross-sectional survey, both direct wet mount and formal-ether concentration methods were used for microscopic diagnosis of intestinal parasites; malaria diagnosis was based on microscopic diagnosis of thin and thick Giemsa stained blood film. Accordingly, an overall prevalence of 24.5% intestinal parasite infections and 0.96% malaria parasite was determined. The intestinal parasites detected were E. histolyica/dispar (10.83%), A. lumbricoides (7.6%), G. lamblia (1.81%), hookworm (1.99%), H. nana (3.6%) and 0.9% each of E. vermicularis and S. stercoralis. Malaria infections were due to P. falciparum (0.38%) and P. vivax (0.58%). Multiple intestinal parasitic infections were common (12.5%). High prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was not in general significantly associated with the absence of toilet, source of drinking water, eating raw meat and open field disposal of household waste (P>0.05). Illiteracy and not washing hands before meal and after toilet use were shown to be associated with G. lamblia (OR=4.21, P=0.043; OR=9.06, P=0.001) and E. histolytica/dispar (OR=17.04, P=0.01; OR=5.104, P=0.001) infection. Relatively high awareness (78.1%) was detected among the heads of household about malaria and its preventive and control measures. Significant discrepancy in prevalence levels between the retrospective clinical record and the cross-sectional survey was observed for malaria. This is to be expected because the prevalence data of clinical records were obtained based on treatment seeking patients reporting to the Health Center. Furthermore, malaria control interventions such as the use of ITNs/LLINs, IRS and prompt treatment with ACT, based on RDT, appeared to have reduced malaria transmission in the study area. On the other hand, the deworming program reportedly under implementation in the study area does not seem to be effective since the prevalence of intestinal helminths remained too high. Therefore, the implementation of control intervention measures for malaria must continue as it is currently practiced and the geo-helminth control measures will require serious improvement in Borena District. Key words/phrases: Malaria, intestinal parasites, parasitic infection control, health, Borena