Intestinal parasitic Infections among School-age Children In Mekaneselam Health Center, Borena, Northeast Ethiopia
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Date
2016-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are still quite common in low-income countries including
Ethiopia, particularly in children due to low-quality drinking water, poor personal and
environmental sanitation. Periodic evaluation of the current status of IPIs in a locality is a prerequisite
to better control these health threats. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence
and determinant factors of IPIs among school-age children in Mekaneselam, northwest
Ethiopia. The study was conducted at Mekaneselam health center and its design was crosssectional
and retrospective investigation. Stool samples collected in November 2015 - May 2016
were analyzed using the direct-wet method. Retrospective data recorded between November
2014 and May 2015 was also extracted from the health record system. Structured questionnaire
was used to gather data on environmental, socio-demographic and behavioral variables. Data
analysis was done using the chi-squared test. In the retrospective investigation, out of 314
patients examined 249(79.3%) had microscopy-confirmed IPIs. Ninety (28.7%) Entamoeba
histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii, 84(26.8%) Giardia lamblia, 14(4.5%) hookworm and 61(19.4%)
Ascaris lumbricoides were detected. Totally 227 fresh stool samples were examined in the crosssectional
survey and 133(58.6%) were positive for IPIs. There were 51(22.5%) E.
histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii, 57(25.1%) G. lamblia, 15(6.6%) hookworm and 10(4.4%) A.
lumbricoides cases. The results indicated that IPIs were common health problem among the
school-age children. Source of drinking water and hand washing practice before meal were
significantly associated with positivity for IPIs (X2=0.166, p=0.809). Thus, there is a need for
intensive and habitual health education for behavioral changes related to personal hygiene
and mass treatment for effective control of IPIs in the study area.
Keywords: Prevalence, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii, Giardia lamblia, Ascaris
lumbricoides, hookworm
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Keywords
Prevalence, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii, Giardia lamblia, Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm