American Journal of Health Research

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Prevalence and Determinant Factors of Intestinal Parasites among School Children in Arba Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia

Received: 28 August 2014    Accepted: 06 September 2014    Published: 20 September 2014
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Abstract

Back ground: Intestinal parasitic infections are still quite common in developing countries including Ethiopia, particularly in children. They are mostly associated with unsafe and low quality of drinking water, poor personal and environmental sanitation. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinant factors of intestinal parasites among school children. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in March, 2014, among 498 students selected from three governmental elementary schools in Arbaminch- town, Southern Ethiopia using stratified multistage sampling method. Structured questionnaire was used to identify environmental, socio demographic and behavioral factors. Stool specimens were collected from all study subjects and were examined for intestinal parasites using direct smear (mount examination) and Formal-ether concentration techniques. Finally, data entry and analysis was done using Epi-info and SPSS statistical soft ware respectively. A bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done. P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: A total of nine parasites were detected .The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 27.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): (23.8-31.6%)). The predominant parasite was E.histolytica/dispar 64(12.9%) followed by A.lumboricoids 53(10.6%), H.nana 21 (4.2%) and G.lamblia 21 (4.2%). Hand washing practice before meal [AOR = 5.7; 95% CI (3.4, 9.7)], nail hygiene [AOR= 2.6; 95% CI (1.5, 4.4)], and children's mother educational level [ A OR =3.5; 95% CI (1.01, 11.4)] showed statistically significant association with high rates of intestinal parasitic infections. Conclusion and recommendations: The prevalence of intestinal parasites is high in the study area among school children .Thus, it indicates the need of interventions like health education regarding to personal hygiene and mass treatment.

DOI 10.11648/j.ajhr.20140205.15
Published in American Journal of Health Research (Volume 2, Issue 5, September 2014)
Page(s) 247-254
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This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Intestinal Parasites, School Children, Prevalence, Determinant Factors, Ethiopia

References
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Author Information
  • Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arbaminch University, Arbaminch, Ethiopia

  • Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

  • Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arbaminch University, Arbaminch, Ethiopia

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    Desta Haftu, Negussie Deyessa, Eskzyiaw Agedew. (2014). Prevalence and Determinant Factors of Intestinal Parasites among School Children in Arba Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia. American Journal of Health Research, 2(5), 247-254. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20140205.15

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    Desta Haftu; Negussie Deyessa; Eskzyiaw Agedew. Prevalence and Determinant Factors of Intestinal Parasites among School Children in Arba Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia. Am. J. Health Res. 2014, 2(5), 247-254. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20140205.15

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    AMA Style

    Desta Haftu, Negussie Deyessa, Eskzyiaw Agedew. Prevalence and Determinant Factors of Intestinal Parasites among School Children in Arba Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia. Am J Health Res. 2014;2(5):247-254. doi: 10.11648/j.ajhr.20140205.15

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajhr.20140205.15,
      author = {Desta Haftu and Negussie Deyessa and Eskzyiaw Agedew},
      title = {Prevalence and Determinant Factors of Intestinal Parasites among School Children in Arba Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia},
      journal = {American Journal of Health Research},
      volume = {2},
      number = {5},
      pages = {247-254},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajhr.20140205.15},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20140205.15},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajhr.20140205.15},
      abstract = {Back ground: Intestinal parasitic infections are still quite common in developing countries including Ethiopia, particularly in children. They are mostly associated with unsafe and low quality of drinking water, poor personal and environmental sanitation. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinant factors of intestinal parasites among school children. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in March, 2014, among 498 students selected from three governmental elementary schools in Arbaminch- town, Southern Ethiopia using stratified multistage sampling method. Structured questionnaire was used to identify environmental, socio demographic and behavioral factors. Stool specimens were collected from all study subjects and were examined for intestinal parasites using direct smear (mount examination) and Formal-ether concentration techniques. Finally, data entry and analysis was done using Epi-info and SPSS statistical soft ware respectively. A bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done. P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: A total of nine parasites were detected .The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 27.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): (23.8-31.6%)). The predominant parasite was E.histolytica/dispar 64(12.9%) followed by A.lumboricoids 53(10.6%), H.nana 21 (4.2%) and G.lamblia 21 (4.2%). Hand washing practice before meal [AOR = 5.7; 95% CI (3.4, 9.7)], nail hygiene [AOR= 2.6; 95% CI (1.5, 4.4)], and children's mother educational level [ A OR =3.5; 95% CI (1.01, 11.4)] showed statistically significant association with high rates of intestinal parasitic infections. Conclusion and recommendations: The prevalence of intestinal parasites is high in the study area among school children .Thus, it indicates the need of interventions like health education regarding to personal hygiene and mass treatment.},
     year = {2014}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Prevalence and Determinant Factors of Intestinal Parasites among School Children in Arba Minch Town, Southern Ethiopia
    AU  - Desta Haftu
    AU  - Negussie Deyessa
    AU  - Eskzyiaw Agedew
    Y1  - 2014/09/20
    PY  - 2014
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20140205.15
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajhr.20140205.15
    T2  - American Journal of Health Research
    JF  - American Journal of Health Research
    JO  - American Journal of Health Research
    SP  - 247
    EP  - 254
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-8796
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajhr.20140205.15
    AB  - Back ground: Intestinal parasitic infections are still quite common in developing countries including Ethiopia, particularly in children. They are mostly associated with unsafe and low quality of drinking water, poor personal and environmental sanitation. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and determinant factors of intestinal parasites among school children. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in March, 2014, among 498 students selected from three governmental elementary schools in Arbaminch- town, Southern Ethiopia using stratified multistage sampling method. Structured questionnaire was used to identify environmental, socio demographic and behavioral factors. Stool specimens were collected from all study subjects and were examined for intestinal parasites using direct smear (mount examination) and Formal-ether concentration techniques. Finally, data entry and analysis was done using Epi-info and SPSS statistical soft ware respectively. A bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done. P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: A total of nine parasites were detected .The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 27.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): (23.8-31.6%)). The predominant parasite was E.histolytica/dispar 64(12.9%) followed by A.lumboricoids 53(10.6%), H.nana 21 (4.2%) and G.lamblia 21 (4.2%). Hand washing practice before meal [AOR = 5.7; 95% CI (3.4, 9.7)], nail hygiene [AOR= 2.6; 95% CI (1.5, 4.4)], and children's mother educational level [ A OR =3.5; 95% CI (1.01, 11.4)] showed statistically significant association with high rates of intestinal parasitic infections. Conclusion and recommendations: The prevalence of intestinal parasites is high in the study area among school children .Thus, it indicates the need of interventions like health education regarding to personal hygiene and mass treatment.
    VL  - 2
    IS  - 5
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