Prevalence of intestinal parasitic helminths and its associated risk factors in Mekaneselam Town, South Wollo, Ethiopia
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background Intestinal parasitic (IP) infections caused by helminthes are among the most significant public health concerns that mainly affect deprived people in Sub-Sahara African countries. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic helminthes among patients attending Mekaneselam hospital. Method In this cross-sectional study stool specimens were collected and examined microscopically to detect intestinal helminthes using direct wet-mount and formal-ether concentration techniques. A structured questionnaire was employed to obtain information regarding the socio-demographic characteristics and associated risk factors. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Result The overall prevalence of the parasitic helminthes was 12.6% in Mekaneselam town. Seven intestinal helminthe species namely Ascaris lumbricoides (5.6%), Trichuris trichiura (2.2%), Enterobius vermicularis (1.7%), hookworm species (1.2%), Hymenolepsis nana (1.0%), Schistosoma mansoni (0.2%) and Tania species with a prevalence rate of (0.2%) were identified. Significant positive associations observed between intestinal helminthes infection and the socio-demographic characteristics including marital status (χ2 = 7.97, p = 0.047), educational level (χ2 = 9.34, p = 0.025) and residence (χ2 = 3.90, p = 0.048). The odds of being infected with IP helminthes in those divorced patients were three times more than those who were married (AOR = 3.21, CI = 1.15–8.96, p = 0.03). Regarding the education level, illiterate were four times (AOR = 2.61, CI = 1.24–5.49, p = 0.011) and those who attended primary school were three times (AOR = 2.3, CI = 1.029–5.143, p = 0.042), more likely to have helminthic infection. Participants who did not wash their hands after toilet were five times more likely to acquire IP helminthes than their counterparts (AOR = 4.36, CI = 2.83–6.72, p = 0.000). In the case of the feeding habit, study subjects who ate unwashed vegetables were more likely to acquire helminthes than those who did not eat unwashed vegetables (AOR = 5. 43, CI = 4.33–23.77, p = 0.000). Conclusion This study showed considerable prevalence of intestinal helminthes infections in the study area that deserve attentions from concerned bodies.
Source: BMC Infectious Diseases
Institution: Wollo University
Language: English
Subfield: Parasitology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,990
OpenAlex ID: W4404234142