A Survey of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Dega Ochollo Primary School Children, Ochollo, South Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries especially among pediatric. Objective: To determine the prevalence of S.mansoni and soil transmitted helminthes among Ochollo primary school students, Ochollo, southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed to assess the prevalence of S.mansoni and soil transmitted helminthes in the study area. The study was conducted between December 2011 and April 2012 in Dega Ochollo complete primary school. A convenient sampling method was employed and a total of 600 students were sampled for the study. Sociodemographic information data such as age, sex, place of birth, educational level and other information was collected from the study participants. Besides, stool specimen was collected from each school children for parasitological examination. Normal saline and Formol ether concentration techniques were used to examine the stool specimen. Data were entered using Epi Info version 3.0 and exported to SPSS version16.0 software package for statistical analysis. Result: Sociodemographic data showed that out of the 600 students sampled, 523 students had participated in the study. Of which, 272 were males and 251 were females. The mean age for the students was recorded to be 11.36 + 2.96 years. Microscopic stool examination showed an overall prevalence of intestinal parasites to be 56.8%. Out of the positive cases, 148 (49.8%) were males; whereas 149 (50.2%) were females. It was also found that 139 (26.57%) of students which belonged to the age group 10 years old or less were positive for at least one intestinal parasite. Among the intestinal helminthes, A.lumbricoides was the predominant parasite (42.1%) followed by T.trichuria (31.0%), Hook worm (3.6%) and H.nana(1.0%), respectively. According to the findings of the study, the prevalence of A.lumbricoides and T.trihuria was higher among the female study subjects than their counter parts. Single, double, triple as well as quadriple infections with intestinal parasites were also found among the school children. Based on the study, majority (37.28%) of the study population had single infection; whereas 19.5% of the cases had multiple infections.Conclusion: Intestinal parasites were prevalent in varying magnitude among schoolchildren found in Ochollo village.This calls for the institution of control measures including treatment of infected individuals, improvement of sanitation and provision of clean water, and health education.