Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Factors among AdultPre-ART and ART Patients in Goncha Siso Enesie Woreda, East Gojjam,Northwest Ethiopia, 2014

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of opportunistic intestinal parasites is expected to be high among Human Immune Deficiency Virus infected populations in developing countries. For many years, intestinal infections caused by opportunistic organisms have been represented as a major problem in immune compromised patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. Methods: Institution based comparative cross sectional study design was conducted in Gendewoyn health center, Goncha Siso Enesie woreda from March to June 2014. A structured questionnaire was administered to all participants to obtain information on socio demographic characteristics and their source of drinking water. For the laboratory test using a direct saline, Dobell’s iodine separate wet mount, formal ether concentration and modified Ziehl-Neelsen (Zn) method was applied. The minimum sample size for this quantitative study was 312. Binary and multiple logistic regressions were used to identify factors of intestinal parasite infection and odds ratios, 95% CI and p-value were computed to measure the presence and strength of associations. Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasite infections in pre-ART and on-ART was 53.7% and 36.5%, respectively with significant decrease of intestinal parasite in the ART era (p<0.006). Majority of Cryptosporidium species infections were found in the pre-ART patients and significantly associated for lower CD4<500 cells/mm3. Absence of toilet (AOR=1.80; 95% CI=1.090-2.975), source of water (AOR=8.260; 95% CI=4.659-14.642), rural residence (AOR=2.292, 95% CI=1.386-3.788); CD4 counts (AOR=1.559; 95% CI=1.093-2.722) HAART status: pre ART patients (AOR=2.13, CI, 1.167-3.905) have significant association with prevalence of intestinal parasite infections. Conclusion and recommendations: The most prevalent parasite in the pre-ART subjects were ova of Ascaris lumbricoides (15.7%) followed by Enteamoeba histolytica (14.8%) while on ART patients the most prevalent parasites were ova of Ascaris lumbricoides (8.8%) and cyst of Enteamoeba histolytica (7.4%). The present study revealed the importance of examining pre-ART and on ART patients for intestinal parasite infections. This study reminded health professionals regarding the occurrence of these parasites in this population. Routine examination of stool samples for parasitic infections could significantly benefit pre-ART and on ART patients for early treatment.