Intestinal Parasites and Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAPs) among individuals who have River water Contact with Special Emphasis on Schistosoma Mansoni in Addiremets town, Western Tigray, Ethiopia
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Date
2017-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are major public health and socio-economic concerns
that adversely affect the well-being of millions of peoples worldwide, mainly the poor in
developing countries. The most prevalent helminthes in developing countries are Schistosoma
mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, hookworms and Hymenolepis species.
Intestinal Schistosomiasis is a serious public health problem mainly in tropical and subtropical
parts of the world.
Objective: To determine prevalence of intestinal parasites and knowledge, attitude and practices
(KAPs) among individuals who have river water contact with special emphasis on Schistosoma
mansoni in Addiremets, Western Tigray, Ethiopia.
Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted from February to April 2017. A total of
411 study participants were included in this study. Socio demography, associated risk factors and
knowledge, attitude and practice (KAPs) of individuals regarding intestinal parasitosis mainly to
intestinal schistosomiasis were collected using preformed structured questioners. From all study
participants, stool samples were collected and laboratory investigations were performed using
direct microscopy, Formol-Ether concentration and Kato- Katz techniques. Malacology study
was assessed by collecting snails from the river in the study area. Data was entered into excel
sheet, cleaned and exported and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Bi-variant logistic regression
and multiple logistic regressions were used for correlation analysis.
Result: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 51.3%. The most frequent parasites
encountered were S. mansoni and H.worm. The prevalence was slightly higher among males
54.1% (131/242) than females 47.3% (80/169). The highest proportion of parasites was reported
among the age group of 5-9 years old subjects (70.6%). The prevalence of S. mansoni was found
to be 26.3 % with mean of intensity infection 218 egg per gram (Range: 24 to 1728). Of all study
participants 94.4% had good knowledge while 35.9% of them had poor practices towards
intestinal parasitosis and intestinal schistosomiasis.
Conclusion: High prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was observed in Addiremets town
in which S. mansoni and H. worm were the most common parasites. Majority of the participants
had good knowledge and positive attitude towards intestinal parasites and intestinal
schistosomiasis.
Key words: Intestinal parasites, Schistosomiasis, KAP, Addiremets, Western Tigray, Ethiopia.
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Keywords
Intestinal parasites; Schistosomiasis; KAP; Addiremets; Western Tigray; Ethiopia