Abstract:
Intestinal protozoan parasites are among the most common human infections globally.
They are distributed throughout the world with high prevalence rates especially in
developing countries including Ethiopia. This study was conducted to assess the
prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasitic infections among kindergarten children
and its associations with parasitological quality of water sources in Woliso town. The
design of the study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey involving a sample
population of 384 Kindergarten children at Woliso town. The children were selected
from three kindergartens using stratified random sampling method. A total of 384 fresh
stool samples of the study participants and 105 water samples were collected from
three types of water sources and were examined using wet-mount, Formol-Ether
concentration and Modified Ziehl Neelsen methods. Among 384 stool samples
examined 11.5%, Entamoeba histolytica, 8.9% Giardia lambilia and 1.6%
Cryptosporidium species were found in KG children. With respect to parasitological
analysis, the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and
Cryptosporidium species in tap water were 17.1%,11.4% and 0%, respectively; and in
the tap water that were kept in tanker the prevalence were 22.9%, 17.1% and 5.7%,
respectively; and for borehole water were 28.6%,40% and 11.4%, respectively. There was statistically significant association between the prevalence of intestinal protozoan
parasitic infection among Kindergarten children with parasitological quality of water
sources (p<0.05).This suggested that environmental sanitation, water treatment,
personal hygiene and awareness creation are needed to reduce the prevalence of
intestinal parasitic infections among school children in Woliso town.
