Prevalence and associated risk factors of common intestinal parasitic infections of helminthes among the asymptomatic primary school children at Woldia Town, North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, in Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Intestinal worm infestation is a global health problem and serious concern for the third world countries. The most common intestinal parasites of helminthes that inhabit in human gut include Nematodes (roundworms) and Platyhelminthes (Cestodes and trematodes) which are wide spread throughout the world. Prevention and control of all parasitic infections including helminthes require research work based on the identification of parasites and associated predisposing factors. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections of helminthes among the asymptomatic primary school children at Woldia town, North Wollo Zone North Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: The study design was school based cross sectional study from November 2019 to February 2020. The technique of sampling was simple random sampling method and the sample size was computed based on the formula proposed by single population proportion to include 442 study participants. The method of data collection was laboratory microscopic stool examination using direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration technique and the structured questionnaires about the associated risk factors and sociodemographic factors. Analysis of the data was made manually using the thematic framework method including the descriptive statistics Result: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections of helminths among the asymptomatic primary school children at woldia town was 96(22.7%). The predominant intestinal parasites of helminthes was Ascaries lumbercoides 40 (9.5%) followed by Trichuris trichiura 18 (4.3%), Hymenolopis nana 13 (3.1%) and Hook worms 10 (2.4%). From the overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections of helminthes, 96(22.7%), the results obtained by direct wet mount method was 36(37.5%) while the Formol-ether concentration technique method revealed 60(62.5%). Moreover, the result also showed parasitic infections of helminthes were associated with associated predisposing factors. Concluding remarks and recommendations: In this study the overall prevalence of helminthic infections was relatively lower. However the control and intervention of intestinal helminthic infections requires a constant provision of periodic deworming treatment and regular health educations regarding personal hygiene and environmental sanitations.