PREVALENCE, ASSOCIATED FACTORS AND ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERNS OF SALMONELLA AND SHIGELLA SPECIES AMONG DIARRHEIC UNDER FIVE CHILDREN IN SULTAN SHEIK HASSAN YABERE REFERRAL HOSPITAL, JIGJIGA, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Diarrhea caused by Salmonella and Shigella species are common public health problems in under-five children in many parts of the world including Ethiopia. However diarrheal disease caused by Salmonella and Shigella species in under-five children is not well explored in eastern Ethiopia. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence, associated factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Salmonella and Shigella species in Sheik Hassan Yabere Referral Hospital Jigjiga, Eastern Ethiopia from August 05 to November 15, 2022. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 239 under-five children with diarrhea selected through a convenient sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect associated factors. Stool sample was collected and processed for the identification of Salmonella and Shigella species by culture onto MacConkey and Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar (Oxoid Ltd). Biochemical tests were used to differentiate Salmonella and Shigella species. Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of isolates was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. The data was entered to Epi-data version 4.6 and exported to statistical package of social science version 22 for analysis. Variables ware assessed using, bivarriate, multivariable and chi-square was conducted. And, P-value <0.05 was considered as statistical significance. Result: Overall prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella species was 6.3% (95% CI, 5.7-6.9%), of which 3.8% (95 CI, 3.2-4.4%) were Salmonella species and 2.5% (95% CI, 1.95-3%). Unimproved water source (AOR=0.3, 95% CI=0.07, 0.97), open field defecation (AOR=2.3, 95% CI= 1.3, 5.03), rural (AOR= 1.8, 95% CI=1.4,7.5), Hand-washing habit (p=0.001), and raw meat consumption (p=0.002) were associated with occurrence of Salmonella and Shigella species. Salmonella and Shigella isolates were resistant to Ampicilin (100%). However, Salmonella isolates was sensitive to Norfloxacin (100%). About 22.2% and 16.7% of Salmonella and Shigella isolates were multi-drug resistant, respectively. Conclusion: Prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella species ware lower than most studies done in Ethiopia. Hand-washing, water source, waste disposal, raw meat and residence associated with Salmonellosis and shigellosis. All isolated Salmonella were sensitive to norfloxacin. Therefore, health extension workers should focus on tap water utilization and improving, environmental sanitation. And treatment of Salmonella and Shigella should do with drug susceptibility tests