Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Intestinal Parasitic Infection among Underfive Children in University of Gondar Hospital, Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Intestinal parasitic infection is a serious health problem in developing countries mainly in children, whichleads to child mortality and morbidity. Objective: To assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic infection among underfive children in UoG Hospital.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2015 to June 2015, A total of 277 children were selected by using systematic random sampling technique. Direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration technique was used for identification of IP; also, an interview-based questioner was prepared to assess the socio-demographic status (of parents and children) and associated risk factors of those under five children.

Result: A total of 277 children [(148 (53.4%) females and 129 (46.6%) males] aged 1 year to 5 years was examined for intestinal parasitic infections. The overall prevalence of this study was 25 (9.02%) when examined by wet mount and48 (17.3%) when examined by formol-ether concentration technique. Five (1.8 %) children were infected by multiple parasites in concentration technique. Both intestinal helminthes (84%, 81.1%) and protozoan parasites (16%, 18.9%) were detected in microscopic examination with wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques respectively. Eight species of intestinal parasites were identified. Of those, the predominant were Ascaris lumbricoides (52%, 35.8%), Hymenolepis nana (20%, 24.5%) and cyst of Giardia lamblia (12%, 9.4%) when examined by wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques respectively. The least prevalent were Strongyloides stercoralis (1.9%).There was statistically observed association for the prevalence of IP with age, hand washing habit of parents and shortening of fingernails habit of parents.

Conclusion: The result of this study indicated that helminthic infection is more predominant than protozoan infection. Children who come from parents who had no hand washing habit and had no shortening fingernails habit were more affected by IP; therefore, Personal hygiene of parents of underfive children must be improved.