Abstract
ObjectiveIntestinal parasitic infection is one of the major childhood health problems in developing countries. In Ethiopia, epidemiological data for several localities is limited. Hence, the aim of this study is to assess intestinal parasitic infections among under-five children attending in Debre Birhan referral hospital, which could help to decrease morbidity and mortality in children. A cross-sectional study was conducted in February, 2014. Stool specimens were collected and examined using concentration method.ResultsOut of the 247 under-five children participated, 17.4% (95% CI 12.7–22.1%) of the children were infected with at least one or more protozoa parasites (14.2% [95% CI 9.9–18.5%]) and helminthes (3.2% [95% CI 1.0–5.4%]). Giardia lamblia (8.5%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (5.7%), Trichuris trichiura (1.6%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (1.2%) were the most identified parasites. Parasitic infection was higher in children who had source of drinking water from the river (36.8%), among children from mothers with poor hand washing practice (31.7%), and among children born from illiterate mothers (27.5%). This revealed that intestinal parasites affect the health of under-five children in the setting. Hence, improving environmental hygiene and inadequate water sanitation, and health education for behavioral changes to personal hygiene would be crucial for effective control of the parasite infections.
Highlights
Intestinal parasitic infection is one of the major childhood health problems in developing countries
Parasitic infections and associated factors Among the 247 children participated in this study, 43 (17.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 12.7–22.1%]) children were infected with at least one or more parasites
G. lamblia and E. histolytica were the pathogenic protozoan parasites found with a prevalence of 21 (8.5% [95% CI 5.0–8.0%]) and 14 (5.7% [95% CI 2.8–8.6%]), respectively
Summary
Intestinal parasitic infection is one of the major childhood health problems in developing countries. According to the world health organization, over 270 million pre-school and over 600 million of school children live in areas where the parasites are intensively transmitted [1]. The disease is most prevalent among the lower social groups and in children whose parents are farmers that are likely to come in contact with the contaminated soil. This practice encourages the transmission of the parasites through penetration of the infective larvae present in the soil, and through direct or indirect fecal-oral transmission [2]. Intestinal parasitic agents increase in polluted environments such as refuse heaps, gutters and swage units in and around human dwelling and living conditions of the people in crowded or unhealthy situation [4, 5]
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