The Prevalence of Geohelminth and S. Mansoni Infections and Associated Risk Factors Among School Children in Umolantie, South Ethiopia
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Date
2011-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Introduction: The prevalence and distribution of intestinal helminths varies from place to place in Ethiopia. Intestinal parasitic infections have detrimental effects on the survival, appetite, growth and physical fitness, school attendance and cognitive performance of school age children. Higher parasitic disease rates occur in children with infection frequently found in those under 14 years in many risk areas due to poor hygiene and play habits.
Objective: To determine prevalence and associated factors of intestinal helminthic infections among Umolantie primary school children, South Ethiopia.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study, involving 405 schoolchildren, was conducted between Nov, 2010 and Jan, 2011. Systematic random sampling technique was applied. Interviews and observation were used to identify the risk factors. Stool specimens were examined using the Kato-Katz technique. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS 16.0 and odds ratio, confidence intervals and p-value were calculated.
Results: six species of intestinal helminths were identified with an overall prevalence of 26.9% (109 of 405 children). The predominant parasites involved were hookworm spp. 59(14.6%) and S. mansoni 51(12.6%). Prevalence of S. mansoni infection was significantly higher in males (p=0.006), whereas hookworm infection was significantly higher in females
(P=0.015). Bathing in the stream was strongly associated with higher prevalence of S. mansoni infection (p=0.03). Other helminths found were E. vermicularis 1% (4 cases), whipworm 1.5% (6 cases) and tapeworm 1.5% (6 cases) and A. lumbricoide 0.5% (2 cases).
Conclusion and recommendation: A high percentage of primary school children from Umolantie have intestinal helminth infections and majority of them have hookworm and S. mansoni. Hence the community should be provided with safe water and should uphold awareness about the main routes of transmission of intestinal helminthes. School children should avoid water contact habits in the nearby stream and regular shoe wearing habits should
also be developed among them.
Key words: geohelminths, S. mansoni, school children, Umolantie, South Ethiopia
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Keywords
Geohelminths, S. mansoni, School children, Umolantie, South Ethiopia