Abstract:
Intestinal protozoan and helminth infections are the major public health problems in many
developing countries including Ethiopia. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence
and intensity of intestinal protozoan and helminth infections in school children and their
associations with anthropometric measurement. A cross-sectional study was carried out and
393 school children were chosen using stratified random sampling technique and enrolled in
the present study. Structured and pre-tested questionnaires were administered in both English
and Amharic to gather relevant information on demographic and risk factors that predispose
for intestinal parasitic infections. Stool samples were collected for microscopic examinations
using direct wet mount, Formol-ether concentration method, Kato-Katz and modified Ziehl
Nielsen staining technique. Anthropometry calculating software, anthroplus version 3.1 was
employed to evaluate anthropometric parameters (age, sex, height and weight). Data were
analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 20.0. The overall prevalence of intestinal
protozoan and helimnth infections in the study area was 47.6% and 20.9%, respectively. The
prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Schistosoma mansoni, Taenia species, Cryptosporidium
species, Hymenolepsis nana ,Hookworm, Entameoba histolytica/dispar and Giardia lamblia
were 5.3%, 8.7%, 1.8%, 2.3%, 2.5%,2.3%,25.9% and 19.2%, respectively. Intensity of Ascaris lumbricoides, Schistosoma mansoni and hook worm ranged from 0-2880, 0-792 and 0-720 per
gram of feces, respectively. Mean egg count for Ascaris lumbricoides, Schistosoma mansoni
and hookworm infections were 744±346.5, 252±64.4, and 270±70.4, respectively.
Malnutrition in terms of underweight, stunting and wasting was seen in 38.7%, 36.9% and
30.9% of the samples, respectively. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was lower
in underweighted (38.7%) students than Wasted (30.9%) and stunted (36.9%) students.
Intestinal helminth and protozoan parasitic infections were the major problem in Chagni town
due to prevailing risk factors. Coordinated work between health officers and school
community was required on the prevention of helminth and protozoan infections.
