Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Human Intestinal Protozoan Parasitic Infections in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background. Human intestinal protozoan parasitic infections (HIPPIs) are a series of public health problems in developing countries like Ethiopia. The overall prevalence of HIPPIs in Ethiopia is not known. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis study is aimed at determining the overall prevalence of HIPPIs in Ethiopia. Methods. Articles written in English were searched from online public databases. Searching terms used were “prevalence,” “intestinal protozoan parasite,” “associated factors,” and “Ethiopia.” We used Stata version 14 for meta-analysis and Cochran’s Q test statistics and the I2 test for heterogeneity. Result. A total of 286 articles were reviewed, but only 45 of them fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of HIPPIs in Ethiopia was 25.01% (95% CI: 20.08%-29.95%) where Entamoeba histolytica/dispar is the most prevalent (14.09%, 95% CI: 11.03%-17.14%) followed by Giardia lamblia (10.03%, 95% CI: 7.69%-12.38%) and Cryptosporidium spp. (5.93%, 95% CI: 2.95%-8.91%). This meta-analysis showed that family size (OR: 3.7, 95% CI: 1.45-5.85), source of drinking water (OR: 3.33, 95% CI: 1.30-5.36), open field defecation (OR: 2.91, 95% CI: 1.60-4.21), handwashing habit (OR: 2.82, 95% CI: 2.01-3.63), playing with soil (OR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.01-3.29), the habit of eating raw vegetables (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.03-2.51), and fingernail trimming (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 0.89-2.25) were strongly associated with the HIPPIs in Ethiopia. High heterogeneity on the prevalence of HIPPIs was observed among studies within and among regions (I2>99% and P≤0.01). Conclusion. The prevalence of HIPPIs was significantly high among the Ethiopian population. Family size, source of drinking water, open field defecation, handwashing habit, the habit of eating raw vegetables, and fingernail trimming habits were significantly associated with HIPPIs.

Intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Even although there was no analogous meta-analysis study conducted on the specific research question. The result of this study is higher than a systematic review and meta-analysis of intestinal parasitic infections among the general population in Ethiopia (25.01%) [46]. Additionally, this finding is higher than a systematic review and meta-analysis of intestinal parasitic infections among food handlers working in Ethiopian university cafeterias (28.5%) [45].…”

“…considering the region of the study done, sample size, and publication year to assess the possible source of heterogeneity. Hence, the highest prevalence of IPIs was observed from a study reported from Oromia region, Afar region, and Dire Dawa city administration, which accounted for 46…”

“…In the current study, E.histolytica/dispar 12.48% (95% CI: 9.31, 15.60), Cryptosporidium 12.3% (95% CI:4.85, 9.47) and G. lamblia 6.04% (95% CI: 4.46, 7.62) were the most common intestinal parasites among people living with HIV/AIDS. Similarly, E.histolytica/dispar 14.09%, G. lamblia 10.03%, and Cryptosporidium 5.93% were the most common parasitic infection among the Ethiopian population [46]. Additionally, E.histolytica/dispar 6.38%, A. lumbricoides 4.12%, and G. lamblia 3.12% were the most common parasitic infection among food handlers in Ethiopia [45].…”

Intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among street dwellers and prison inmates: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The present study revealed that the pooled prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among street dwellers and prison inmates was 43.68% (95% CI: 30.56, 56.79). Although there were no studies conducted on the same study groups, the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections of this study was higher than systematic reviews and meta-analyses conducted among HIV/AIDS patients (39.15%), food handlers working in Ethiopian university cafeterias (28.5%) [ 38 ], general populations (25.01%) [ 39 ] and food handlers of food service establishments 33.6% [ 40 ] in Ethiopia. Similarly, the present study had higher intestinal parasitic infection prevalence compared to studies conducted among pre-school and school children (38%) and general population (34.2%) [ 41 , 42 ] in Iran.…”

Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Egyptian Patients With Chronic Liver Diseases At Zagazig University Hospital

“…Human intestinal parasitic infections are series of public health problems in developing countries [35]. Even in communities where adequate sanitary conditions and higher educational levels are present, some of these intestinal parasites play an important role in causing diseases especially in specific groups such as immunocompromised patients [10].…”