Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection and its associated factors among primary school students in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Introduction Intestinal parasitic infection are a major public health concern affecting both children and adolescents in Ethiopia. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine pooled prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitic infection in this target group. Method We systematically retrieved available articles on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection following database searches using PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Science Direct between March 1 and May 27, 2020. Two authors independently extracted all relevant data using a standardized Microsoft Excel data extraction form. Heterogeneity among included studies was assessed with the Higgins I2 tests. The pooled estimates and associated factors were assessed with a random-effects model using Stata/se Version 14. Result We retrieved 30 eligible articles with a pooled sample size of 14,445 primary school children with response rate of 97.8%. Entamoeba spp (16.11%), Ascaris lumbricoides (13.98%), hookworm (12.51%) and Giardia lamblia (9.98%) are the top causes of intestinal parasitic infection among primary school children in Ethiopia. The pooled prevalence for at least one intestinal parasitic infection was 46.09 (95% CI: 38.50, 53.68). Heterogeneity was assessed by doing subgroup analysis by study province/region. Thus, the highest prevalence of 66.6% (95% CI: 55.5, 77.7) occurred in Tigray region, which was followed by Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region at 50.8% (95% CI: 33.1, 68.5). No latrine availability (OR = 4.39: 2.50,7.73), no fingernail hygiene (OR = 2.37: 1.67, 3.35), open defecation (OR = 1.67:1.64,4.36), no formal maternal education (OR = 2.02: 1.18,3.47), rural residence (OR = 1.88: 1.46, 2.41), no habit of wearing shoes (OR = 2.66: 1.79, 3.96), non-pipe source of drinking water (OR = 1.99: 1.42,2.76), no regular hand washing practices (OR = 3.45:1.85,6.47), and no habit of washing fruits and vegetables (OR = 1.59:1.01,2.49) were associated with parasitic infection. Conclusions The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was high (46%). Attention should be given to promoting personal hygiene, latrine utilization, wearing shoes, avoiding eating raw food, creating awareness for those mothers who lack formal education. Moreover, future research ideally will expand on the topic by conducting research in regions which have no prior research.

Teratogenic Evaluation of 80% Ethanol Extract of Embelia schimperi Vatke Fruits on Rat Embryo and Fetuses

“…Poor hygiene status and low coverage of deworming are common risk factors that put populations at risk of helminthic infestation [ 2 ]. The problem has been affecting different vulnerable groups like immunocompromised individuals and school children in Ethiopia [ 2 , 3 ]. More importantly, pregnant women are at high risk of acquiring helminthic infestation [ 4 ].…”

Burden of neglected tropical diseases and access to medicine and diagnostics in Ethiopia: A scoping review

“…We identi ed 31 articles that report the burden of prioritized NTDs in Ethiopia (3, 9, 26-35, 11, 36-45, 19, 46, 20-25). Most were systematic reviews and metaanalyses on trachoma (19), leishmaniasis (20)(21)(22)(23)(24), soil transmitted helminthiasis (STH) (25)(26)(27)(28)(29), schistosomiasis (29)(30)(31)(32), scabies (33); LF and podoconiosis (34)(35)(36)(37), review on onchocerciasis (39), and historical review of NTDs in Ethiopia (1941-2019) (38). Trachoma, podoconiosis and leishmaniasis are three common NTDs in Ethiopia (3,11).…”

Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Patients Who Visited Woldia Comprehensive Specialized Hospital’s Emergency Department Over a Six-Year Period, Woldia, Ethiopia: A Retrospective Study

“…Although intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are preventable neglected tropical infections, they continue to be a major public health issue that blights the lives of billions of people worldwide. 1 The public health consequences of IPIs are particularly pronounced in the tropical and subtropical regions of low-income countries where potable water is scarce, sanitation is poor, and people are experiencing substandard lifestyles. 2 Soil-transmitted helminths like Ascaris lumbricoides ( A. lumbricoides), Trichiuris trichiuria ( T. trichiuria ), and hookworms are among the most prevalent helminth infections whereas Entamoeba histolytica ( E. histolytica ) and Giardia lamblia ( G. lamblia ) are the predominant protozoan infection.…”

“…Mental development impairment also the other public health challenges of IPIs, particularly in children (such as impaired growth, decreased school attendance, cognitive impairment, decreased educational achievement, and adult productivity). 1 , 6 In particular, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries disproportionately take the lion share of the global burden of the IPIs in association with poor socio-economic status, lack of pure water supply, poor sanitation, inadequacy of healthcare center, poor community awareness as well as the prevailing bad climatic and environmental conditions. 4 , 7 , 8 Existing evidence indicates that the prevalence of IPIs in different areas of SSA exceeds 50%.…”

“…Among SSA countries, Ethiopia ranks second only to Nigeria in the prevalence of IPIs, accounting for approximately 50,000 deaths annually in the country. 1 , 10 However, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to face challenges in achieving its goal of eliminating or reducing IPs, many of which are Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), to the point where they no longer pose a public health threat in endemic areas due to a lack of updated epidemiological data on the burden of IPs and delivering alternative intervention packages. 11 Thus, conducting longitudinal studies in different localities are crucial in designing and implementing effective preventive and control strategies for IPs in Ethiopia, where there is a significant economic constraint on medicine purchase and mass treatment.…”