Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Determinant Factors Among Patients Visiting Kutaber Health Center, South Wollo, Northeast Ethiopia
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Date
2018-08-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are one of pronounced health problems in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was, thus, to assess the prevalence of IPIs and associated determinant factors among patients visiting Kutaber health center (KHC). Across-sectional study was conducted from October 2017-March 2018 using convenient sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was prepared and used to identify, socio demographic, behavioral and other related risk factors. Stool specimens were collected from all study participants and were examined for intestinal parasites identification using direct saline smear-method. Finally, data entry and analysis were done using SPSS software (21vertion). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. In this study 450 patients were participated in the final analysis, of those, 216 were males and 234 females. Majority of study participants 264 live in surrounding rural place of the study area, while the rest 186 live in the urban area. The proportion of age group, 5-14 years old (36.4%), 15 -24 years old (18.9%) and the majority of the study participants (44.7%) were ≥ 25 years old. Out of 450 samples examined 179(39.8%) patients had one or more intestinal parasites belonging to six different types(species) including mixed intestinal parasites. From the different intestinal parasites identified in the study area, protozoan infection was the most predominant. Among the intestinal protozoan parasites Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii was found to be 99(22%) and Gardia lamblia 46(10.2%). The prevalence of other intestinal helminths was Hymenolepis nana 12(2.7%), Entorbius vermicularis 10(2.2%), Ascariasis lumbricoides 7(1.6%), and Trichuris trichiura 2(0.4%). Among the 450 samples examined 176 (39.1%) of the cases had single infection and only 3(0.7%) were mixed parasites. Intestinal parasitic infections were prevalent among the study participants specially in the aged group 5-14 years old and those living in rural areas. Therefore, control measures including, health center and school-based education on personal hygiene and environmental sanitation, water supply and treatment should be taken in to account to reduce the prevalence of intestinal parasites in the study area, because IPIs will be difficult to control by drugs alone. Periodic evaluation of community is also necessary to provide useful information for appropriate control and management of these infections.
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Kutaber, Intestinal Parasites, Prevalence, Determinant Factors, Ethiopia