Browsing by Author "Woldeyes Daniel"

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    Malaria/Intestinal Helminth Co-Infections and Anemia in Antsokia-Gemza District, Amhara National Regional State
    (Addis Ababa University, 2007-08) Woldeyes Daniel; Petros Beyene (Professor)
    The study was conducted on 595 individuals aged 5–65 years old residing in Antsokia-Gemza District, North Shoa Zone, Amhara National Regional State, Northern Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to investigate the extent of association of malaria, intestinal helminth infections and malaria/intestinal helminth co-infections with anemia in the community. Blood was collected by finger pricking to determine the malaria parasite species involved, the parasitaemia and haemoglobin concentration. Haemoglobin concentration was measured by using a portable spectrophotometer (Hemocue HB 201). The Kato-Katz technique of stool examination was used to determine prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminth infections. The overall prevalence of malaria, intestinal helminth infections, and co-infections were 43.1%, 31.5%, and 14.0%, respectively. The overall prevalence of anemia and severe anemia was 32.9% and 1.8%, respectively. Prevalence of anemia in individuals with malaria, intestinal helminth infection, and malaria/intestinal helminth co-infections was 31.5%, 25.0% and 45.3%, respectively. Prevalence of anemia was significantly higher and mean haemoglobin concentration was significantly lower among individuals with malaria/intestinal helminth co-infections as compared to those with only malaria or intestinal helminth infections. Univariate analysis identified malaria (OR = 2.325, p<0.001) and malaria/hookworm co-infection (OR = 6.133, p<0.001) as significant risk factors of anemia in the community. Malaria/hookworm co-infections were found to have contributing effect to low haemoglobin level. However, the overall prevalence of anemia was lower than what has been reported from a similar study in Wolayita, Southern Ethiopia. Consumption of teff as a staple food, in the present study area, was speculated as a possible factor contributing to the relatively lower prevalence of anemia as compared to the non-teff staple food region in Wolayita. Implementations of malaria control measures and institution of deworming programs to prevent parasitic infections are recommended to reduce anemia prevalence to the level below what is of public health concern in the study area. Key words: malaria, anemia, intestinal helminths, co-infections, Antsokia-Gemza District, Ethiopia
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    Prevalence and Potential Risk Factors of Human Cystic Echinococcosis in Selected Districts of South Omo Zone, Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2019-01-04) Woldeyes Daniel; Petros Beyene (Professor)
    Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a cestode parasitic zoonosis caused by the larval stage of various species of the genus Echinococcus and/or the strains of Echinococcus granulosus. This study was aimed to determine the current status and public health importance of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in the pastoralist areas of South Omo Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia. Prior to the commencement of the study institutional and national ethical approvals were obtained. Ultrasound survey was conducted on 2838 consenting study participants in Hamer, Nyangatom and Dassenech Districts of South Omo Zone. 311 were randomly selected for interview to assess their awareness and attitude about the disease and the practices that may be related to the transmission of the disease. Among the study participants, 56 (2.0%) were found infected with CE on US. Human CE was more prevalent (3.3%) in Hamer District. Liver was the most affected organ and CE1 stages showed high frequency (23 cases). Increased CE1 prevalence was abserved as the age increased. The questionnaire survey indicated that most respondents had never heard of CE; had large number livestock and dogs; practiced home slaughtering; did not dispose infected offal properly; and had a wrong perception about the infection. The level of awareness and the attitude of the community about CE was very low and wrong. Sharing of water sources with animals was a potential risk factor, which was found to have significant association with CE infection. 1338 slaughtered cattle were inspected at Jinka and Arba Minch Abattoirs to estimate the distribution of CE among livestock of the pastoralist in the study area. Slaughter house survey was conducted on 4312 small ruminants at HELMEX Export Abattoir plc, meat processing center for export in Bishoftu town, Oromia Region. Cysts were excised from liver and lungs of the animals and examined. Size, number and vital status of the cysts were determined. 75 (61 from Arba Minch and 14 from Jinka) out of 1338 cattle were found infected and lung infection was more common. 23 (7 from Babile and 16 from Borena) out of 4312 small ruminants were also found positive for CE during abattoir inspection. Molecular characterization of cysts from cattle and small ruminants showed that the causative agent was predominantly G1 strain of E.granulosus. However, the cyst excised from the lower leg muscle of one human study participant was characterized and found to be a novel strain and given a provisional name, GOmo. GOmo is a new strain discovered in the study area and definite elucidation of its life cycle awaits further research. Thus, the study showed that CE is common in humans and animals in the pastoralist community of the study districts, Hamer, Nyangatom and Dassenech. Further epidemiological and molecular studies are recommended for a further in depth elucidation of the intensity of infection in the human population and to establish the life cycle of the GO