Prevalence and factors associated with intestinal parasites among children of age 6 to 59 months in, Boricha district, South Ethiopia, in 2018

Abstract

Background: Intestinal parasites are the commonest cause of childhood diarrhea and malnutrition in Ethiopia. Information about intestinal parasites is the first fundamental step for designing intervention strategies against them. Hence, health planners can maximize their efforts. Information is scarce about intestinal parasites among children of under-five years of age in Boricha district. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing prevalence and factors associated with intestinal parasites among children of age 6 to 59 months in Boricha district, South Ethiopia. Methods: A community based analytical cross sectional study was conducted among 624 children of age 6 to 59 months from January 1 to 30; in 2018. We have utilized two stage stratified sampling method. Firstly, simple random sampling was used to select sample Kebeles. Secondly, systematic random sampling method was used to select the study participants. Structured and interviewer administrated questionnaire was used to collect data. Parasitological examination of children's stool was conducted microscopically. Data were entered into Epi-info, exported and analyzed by SPSS version 22. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify association between explanatory variables and outcome variable. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was computed, and P-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Descriptive statistics was presented using texts, tables and figures. Result: A total of 622 participants were included in the analysis which makes a response rate of 99.9%. Prevalence of intestinal parasites was 48.7% (95%CI, 44.8-52.6) in this study. Higher family size (AOR = 2.7, 95%CI = 1.5-5.0), medium family size (AOR = 2.3,95%CI,1.3-4.2), absence of laterine facility in the household (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.6-5.3), unable to put on shoes (AOR = 3.5,95%CI = 2.2-5.7), and eating raw vegetables (AOR = 2.6,95%CI = 1.6-4.7) were factors positively associated with intestinal parasites in this study. Conclusion: Overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was almost high. Latrine facility, family size, shoes wearing habit and eating raw vegetables were significantly associated with intestinal parasites. Family planning service, sanitation and hygiene practices should be intensified through community education. Activate support of deworming program should be considered. Moreover, policy makers should give priority on creating awareness to prevent intestinal parasite.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites among the Malnourished Children in Enugu, Nigeria

“…Mixed infection/polyparasitism was detected, and this agrees with the work of many researchers [3,17,23,30]. Multiple intestinal infections in children have been confirmed to be a natural occurrence triggered by the interaction of common environmental factors, modes of infection, host exposure, vulnerability, as well as behavioural and socioeconomic factors that promote the co-occurrence of various parasites [24]. Gender was not found to be a significant risk factor, both sexes were equally exposed P>0.05.…”

“…This high prevalence may due to ignorance, lack of basic amenities, poor sanitation, poverty, inadequate access to healthcare [23]. Differences may also be due to variations in parasitological techniques, source of drinking water, family education, and personal hygiene [24].…”

“…These parasites are favoured by warm and humid climates including copious rainfall, as well as by deficient sanitary conditions such as poor sewage disposal, and absence of portable water. The presence of these helminths may also be related to the behaviour of susceptible persons whose sanitary and societal norms are very poor [24].…”

Intestinal parasites in stool testing among refugees at a primary care clinic in Toronto, Canada

“…Only 6.6% of all patients had clinically significant parasite species (excluding B hominis, D fragilis , and E dispar , given their lower risk for causing symptoms/complications): 2.3% had clinically significant protozoans and 4.2% had helminths on stool analysis. The prevalence of intestinal parasites found in our study is much lower than reported in many patients’ countries of birth and origin [ 6 , 36 , 37 ]. Various factors may contribute to these differences, including the natural history of many intestinal parasites clearing with time without intervention.…”

“…The prevalence of clinically significant protozoans was also higher in patients who were born in South Asia, Latin America & the Caribbean, and Middle East & North Africa. Although protozoan infections are endemic in many parts of sub-Sarahan Africa [ 36 , 44 ], we found a relatively low prevalence (0.9%) of clinically significant protozoans in patients from this region.…”