PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITOSIS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG UNDER-FIVE CHILDREN VISITING PUBLIC HOSPITAL’S OF HARAR TOWN, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Intestinal parasitosis is a group of diversified illnesses causing significant morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Under-five Children in under-developed nations, like Ethiopia, face serious health issues due to intestinal parasites. There is paucity of information about intestinal parasitosis and associated factors among under-five children in Harar town, Eastern Ethiopia. Objective: To assess prevalence of intestinal parasitosis and associated factors among under-five children visiting public Hospitals of Harar, Eastern Ethiopia from November 21, 2023 to February 07, 2024. Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted among 351 under-five children in public Hospitals of Harar, Eastern Ethiopia. Study participants were selected by convenience sampling technique. Fresh stool specimens were collected, transported, examined microscopically using direct wet mount, formol-ether concentration technique and Modified Ziehl-Neelsen method. Epi Data version 4.6 was used for data entry and Statistical Package of social science (SPSS) Version 27 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were employed to determine the association between independent variables and intestinal parasitosis. p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis among under-five children was 26.5% (93/351) (95% CI: 22%-31%). The intestinal parasites that were identified were; 4.84% (17/351) Giardia lamblia, 7.41% (26/351) Hymenolepis nana, 4.56% (16/351) Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, 1.71% (6/351) Ascaris lumbricoides, 1.99% (7/351) Hookworm, 2.28% (8/351) cryptosporidium and coinfection of multiple intestinal parasites was 3.7% (13/351). Children whose mothers can’t read and write (AOR=5.67, 95% CI: 1.74%-18.49%), children whose nails are trimmed rarely (AOR= 2.164, 95% CI: 1.03%-4.53%), care givers who wash their hand only with water (AOR= 4.81, 95% CI: 1.11%-20.79%) and those who use well water as their source of drinking water (AOR = 2.74, 95% CI: 1.04%-7.25%) were found significantly associated with intestinal parasitosis among under-five children. Conclusion: Nearly one out of four under-five children were found to be infected with intestinal parasites. fingernails trimming habit, water source, mothers/care givers educational status, and habit of hand washing using soap were significantly associated with intestinal parasitosis. Using safe water supply, Frequent child’s nail trimming habit, and hand washing with soap recommended.