PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITIC INFECTIONS AND THEIR ASSOCIATIONS WITH RISK FACTORS AND ANTHOROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS OF SCHOOLCHILDREN IN ABOKER MUTI PIMARY SCHOOL, HARARI REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections are the major public health problems in many developing countries including Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among Aboker Muti Primary SchoolChildren. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out involving 384 schoolchildren who were selected using stratified random sampling technique during November 2018 to January 2019. A structured and pre-tested questionnaire were administered in both Afaan Oromo and Amharic to parents of school children to collect relevant data related to risk factors that predispose the school children for intestinal parasite infections. Fresh stool samples of school children were collected and examined using Modified Ziehl-neelsen staining method for detecting the presence of Cryptosporidium parvum and Cyclosporacayetanensis direct wetmount and formal-ether methods were used to detect Giardia lamblia.Entamoeba histolytica and other intestinal parasites. Weight of the children was measured using weighing scale and height was taken using measuring tape. Anthropometry calculating software was employed to evaluate anthropometric parameters. The National Center for Health Statstics growth chart reference was used to estimate the prevalence of underweight among 10-18 years old school children. Data were analyzed using statistical software version 20.0. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in the study area was 31.77%. The prevalence of double infections was 2.6%. the protozoan parasites identified in school along their prevalence of were G. lamblia (10.1%). E. histolytical (4.1%). C. cayetanensis ?(2.3%) and C. parvum ?(1.8%) whereas the prevalence of helminth parasites species identified and their prevalence rate were hookworm (7.6%). H. nana (3.4%). A. lumbricoides (1.3%) and T. trichiura (1%). Malnutrion in terms of underweight stunting and wasting was seen in 7.4%. 12% and 10.2% of school Hilden respectively. The findings showed that there was no significant association between intestinal parasitic infections and nutritional status (p>0.05). Factors like source of drinking water level of knowledge on parasitic infection latrine availability in home venting awareness of personal hygiene and environmental sanitation were significantly associated (p<0.05) with intestinal parasitic infection. Based on the findings of the study delivering health education is indispensableto increase the knowledge, attitude and practice of the school children. Preventive measures including improvement of personal hygiene and environmental sanitation and use of safe water are also recommended.