Mamo, Hassen (PhD)Endris, Nuru2018-08-082023-11-082018-08-082023-11-082016-09http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/11347Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are common health concerns in low-income countries like Ethiopia. Current information on the magnitude of the problem in a locality is vital to devise appropriate control strategies. The objective of this study was, therefore, to assess the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors among patients visiting Hara health center, northeast Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2015 to April 2016 involving participants recruited through the convenience sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used to determine environmental, socio-demographic and behavioral factors related to IPIs. Stool specimen were collected and examined for the existence of IPIs using the direct-saline wet mount technique. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were done with p-value less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 42.3% (n=430). A total of seven intestinal parasite species were detected. The predominant parasite was Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii (142(33.02%), followed by Giardia lamblia (26(6.0%), Enterobius vermicularis (5(1.2%), Taenia species (5(1.2%), Trichuris trichiura (2(0.5%), Hymenolepis nana (1(0.2%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (1(0.2%). The study showed that source of drinking water (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.954, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.410-6.192, p<0.0001), hand washing before meal (AOR 2.647, 95% CI 1.194-5.871, p 0.017) and hand washing after toilet (AOR 3.396, 95% CI 1.454-7.931, p 0.005), way of using water (AOR 2.745, 95% CI 1.137-6.626, p 0.025), type of toilet (AOR 2.517, 95% CI 1.037-6.109, p 0.041), residence (AOR 2.157, 95% CI 1.178-3.950, p 0.013), garbage disposal mechanism (AOR 0.180, 95% CI, 0.055-0.589, p 0.005), awareness about IPIs (AOR 0.137, 95% CI 0.074-0.256, p<0.0001) and age (AOR 7.984, 95% CI 4.346-14.667, p<0.0001) were significantly associated with IPIs-positivity. IPIs were a common health problem in the study area. Health education on personal and environmental hygiene coupled with improved accessibility to safe drinking water is needed. Keywords: logistic regression, intestinal parasites, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii, Giardia lamblia, Enterobius vermicularis, Taenia spp, Trichuris trichiura, Hymenolepis nana, Ascaris lumbricoides, prevalence.enlogistic regressionIntestinal parasitesEntamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskiiGiardia lambliaEnterobius vermicularisTaenia sppTrichuris trichiuraHymenolepis nanaAscaris lumbricoidesprevalenceThesis