EC Microbiology

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) in Ethiopia are a significant health problem and vary in different regions and with age. We examined associations between IPI and local risk factors at the age 7-19 years in primary schoolchildren, Gurage zone.

Methodology: In 2014-2015, a study on 680 primary schoolchildren (school based cohort) was conducted at Enemorena-Ener and Abeshege Districts of Gurage zone, South central Ethiopia. Fresh stool samples were collected and processed by Kato-Katz and formol-ether concentration methods. Socio-demographic and economic factors were assessed through a questionnaire, observation, interviews, focus group discussions and document review. SPSS statistical software version 16 was used and P-value <0.05 was re- ported as statistically significant.

Result: The overall prevalence of IPI was 40% (180/450) in Enemorena-Ener and 38.7% (89/230) in Abeshege Districts. The preva- lence of the respective parasites in the two Districts was comparable, except for the few cases of S. mansoni in Abeshege. Female (AOR 2.93, 95% CI 1.59 - 5.37, p < 0.001), not washing hands after defecation (AOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.25 - 2.92, p < 0.001), not hand washing practice before meal (AOR 2.57, 95% CI 1.45 - 4.56, P < 0.001), using unprotected water (AOR 3.94, 95% CI 2.84 - 5.45, P < 0.001), lack of latrine (AOR 0.11, 95% CI 0.06 - 0.21, P < 0.001), and family size more than five (AOR 3.73,95% CI 2.04 - 6.8, P < 0.001) had significant association with IPI.

Higher age category ≥ 15 years (AOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.01 - 2.84, P = 0.048), lack of latrine at home (AOR 2.16 95% CI 1.17 - 3.97, P = 0.01), not wearing shoes (AOR 0.03, 95% CI 0.02 - 0.06, P < 0.001) had significant association with hookworm infection. Not wash- ing hands before eating (AOR 6.80, 95% CI 3.87 - 11.97, P < 0.001) and after defecation (AOR 0.33,95% CI 0.22 - 0.49, P < 0.001), lack of latrine at home (AOR 0.40, 95% CI 0.25 - 0.68, P < 0.001), illiterate mother (AOR 1.65 95% CI 1.09 - 2.49, P = 0.02) and use of unprotected water (AOR 20.00, 95% CI 10.14 - 43.64, P < 0.001) showed a significant association with giardiasis. Children use of unprotected water (AOR 0.51,95% CI, 0.33 - 0.79, P = 0.002), children who did not wash hands before eating (AOR 6.52, 95% CI 3.69 - 11.54, P < 0.001) and after defecation (AOR 0.59, 95% CI 0.39 - 0.88, P = 0.01) and children whose age ten to fourteen years old (AOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.17 - 2.86, P = 0.01) and lack of latrine at home (AOR 1.03, 95% CI 0.61 - 0.93, P < 0.001), had significant association with ascaris infection.

Conclusion: A high prevalence with an average low IPI was found among schoolchildren, Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and Giar- dia infections were being most common. Low personal hygiene, use of unprotected water, lack of latrine, not wearing shoes and large family size were important predictors for IPIs.

keywords: Children; Health; Helminths; Risk Factors; Intestinal Parasitosis; Prevalence; Southwest Ethiopia

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