Abstract
Background Intestinal parasites and Schistosoma mansoni infections adversely affect the health of humans in the world especially in sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia. Fishermen who spend most of their time in water bodies are supposed to be at high risk of schistosomiasis and other water-born parasites. However, the magnitude of these parasitic infections and their determinant factors are not well addressed. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at Lake Tana among 388 fishermen from March to May 2021. Questionnaire data was collected through face to face interview. Stool sample from each participant was processed by the Kato-Katz and spontaneous tube sedimentation techniques. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Results One hundred sixty four (42.3%) and 88 (22.7%) participants were infected by intestinal parasites and Schistosoma mansoni, respectively. One hundred twenty two (31.4%) and 42 (10.8%) participants were infected by soil-transmitted helminths and intestinal protozoa, respectively. Attending only primary school (AOR = 2.02, p = 0.014) or being illiterate (AOR = 2.54, p = 0.004) and not washing hands before meal (AOR = 2.23, p = 0.007) were significantly associated with intestinal parasitic infections. Illiterate educational status (AOR = 2.37, p = 0.022), fishing by bargee (AOR = 2.43, p = 0.005), fishing ≥4 days per week (AOR = 2.27, p = 0.029), swimming habit (AOR = 3.03, p = 0.030), and participation in irrigation (AOR = 3.09, p ≤ 0.001) predispose fishermen to S. mansoni infection. Conclusion Intestinal parasites and S. mansoni infections are highly prevalent among fishermen at Lake Tana basin. Low education level and frequent water contact predispose fishermen for intestinal parasites and S. mansoni. Therefore, health education to fishermen on intestinal parasites and S. mansoni infection and regular deworming should be advocated.
Highlights
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are major public health problems in developing countries [1]
Schistosomiasis affects over 250 million people, and 780 million people are at risk of infection worldwide, of which more than 90% of the infections occur in Africa notably in sub-Saharan Africa [7,8,9]
From the total sample size of 422, data from 388 (92%) participants was complete for analysis
Summary
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are major public health problems in developing countries [1]. IPIs and schistosomiasis, caused by the genus Schistosoma, is the most neglected parasitic diseases in sub-Saharan countries. Intestinal parasites and Schistosoma mansoni infections adversely affect the health of humans in the world especially in sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia. One hundred sixty four (42.3%) and 88 (22.7%) participants were infected by intestinal parasites and Schistosoma mansoni, respectively. Illiterate educational status (AOR = 2:37, p = 0:022), fishing by bargee (AOR = 2:43, p = 0:005), fishing ≥4 days per week (AOR = 2:27, p = 0:029), swimming habit (AOR = 3:03, p = 0:030), and participation in irrigation (AOR = 3:09, p ≤ 0:001) predispose fishermen to S. mansoni infection. Intestinal parasites and S. mansoni infections are highly prevalent among fishermen at Lake Tana basin. Health education to fishermen on intestinal parasites and S. mansoni infection and regular deworming should be advocated
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