Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Risk Factors among Students of Atse Fasil General Elementary School Azezo, Northwest Ethiopia
Background: In Ethiopia, intestinal parasitoses are among the ten top causes of morbidity, particularly in children. Different studies in the country reported a high prevalence rate of intestinal parasite in school children, but the epidemiological information in Azezo area is not yet available. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, intensity and associated risk factors of intestinal parasites among school children of Azezo.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 10 to June 30, 2008, on 354 students selected from Atse Fasil General Elementary School in Azezo-Gondar town, northwest Ethiopia using stratified proportionate random sampling method.
A stool sample was collected from each student for intestinal parasite examination using direct saline preparation, formol-ether concentration, and Kato-thick smear techniques. Data regarding socio-demographic, environmental and behavioral factors were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire; they were cleaned before they were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 soft ware.
Results: Out of the 354 students examined, 258 (72.9%) were positive for one or more species of parasites. The prevalence rate was 78.9% for males and 68.6% for females. The most common parasites recovered were Schistosoma mansoni 154 (43.5%) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides 102(28.8%) and Trichuris trichiura 64(18.1%). Eleven students (3.1%) showed heavy parasitic infection. Sex, poor personal hygiene, lack of protective shoe, and frequent swimming habits showed statistically significant association with high rates of parasitic infections (P<0.05).
Conclusion and recommendation: The high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among school children in the study area indicates the need for therapeutic intervention and health education.
Keywords
Authors
How to Cite
Download Citation
License
Copyright © 2021 The Author(s)
Similar Articles
- Abiyu Geta, Alemayehu Teklu, Kemal Jemal, Binyam Tilahun, Exploring barriers and enablers of compassionate and respectful care implementation in pre-service education in Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 12 No. 1 (2022)
- Getu Debalkie, Kindie Fentahun, Destaw Fetene , Determinants of Comprehensive Knowledge OF HIV/AIDS among Females Aged 15-24 Years in Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 9 No. 1 (2019)
- Getnet Mequanint, Mohammed Birhan , Sodium Hypochlorite Poisoning At the University Of Gondar Teaching Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 8 No. 1 (2017)
- Mulu Slute, Getu Debalkie, Kindie Fentahun, Sebsebie Tadesse, Kassahun Alemu, Perception of Climate Change and Associated Factors among Rural Dwellers of Gondar Zuria District, Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 9 No. 1 (2019)
- Gashaw Messele, Mensur Osman, Jilalu Asmera, Zeki Adurahman, Analysis of Endoscopic Findings among Gastrointestinal Patients in Gondar University Hospital , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 1 No. 1 (2008)
- Feleke Moges, Challenges of Bacterial Drug Resistance in Developing Countries , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 8 No. 1 (2017)
- Feseha Gebreselassie, Suleman Isa, Getahun Asres , Tuberculous Otitis Media in a 32 Year Old Ethiopian Woman , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 6 No. 1 (2014)
- Baye Gelaw, Bacteriophage Based Assay to Detect Mycobacteria in the Sputum of Tuberculosis Patients , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 6 No. 1 (2014)
- Abilo Tadesse, Zewdu Hurissa, Clinical and Hematological Features and Treatment Outcomes of Visceral Leishmaniasis Patients Admitted To Gondar University Hospital , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 2 No. 1 (2009)
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- Dessie Tegegne, Aschalew Gelaw, Demeke Endalamaw, Getachew Ferede, Baye Gelaw, The association between ABO blood groups and norovirus infections among patients suffering from diarrheal disease in Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 14 No. 1 (2024)
- Abebaw Bitew, Aschalew Gelaw, Yitayih Wondimeneh, Gizachew Yismaw, Ashenafi Alemu, Getachew esfaye, Mekonnen Teferi, Takele Abayneh, Molalegne Bitew, Markos Abebe, Biruk Yeshitela, Adane Mihret, Baye Gelaw, Evaluation of Crystal® VC Rapid Diagnostic Test kit to detect Vibrio cholerae from fecal samples in Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 15 No. 1 (2025)
- Takele Tadesse, Assefa Getachew, Mengesha Admassu, Yigzaw Kebede, Tadesse Awoke, Tesfahun Melese, Solomon Amsalu, Shitaye Alemu, Gashaw Andargie, Belaynew Wassie, Yifokir Tefera, Sisay Yifru, Kassahun Alemu, Samuel G/ Selassie, Solomon Meseret, Demographic and Health Survey at Dabat District in Northwest Ethiopia: Report of the 2008 Baseline Survey , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 4 No. 1 (2011)
- Feleke Moges, Moges Tiruneh, Feleke Moges, Yeshambel Belyhun, Yenew Kebede, Andargachew Mulu, Afework Kassu, Intestinal Parasitic Infections in Association with Cutaneous Fungal Infection and Nutritional Status among Tseda School Children, Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 3 No. I (2010)
- Yigzaw Kebede, Gashaw Andarge, Tesfahun Melesse, Temesgen Azmeraw, Takele Tadesse, Yiforkir Tefera, Abebaw Gebeyehu, Tadesse Awoke, Kassahun Alemu, Sisay Yifru, Afework Kassu, Tefera Abula, Mengesha Admassu, Shitaye Alemu, Solomon Meseret, Digsu Negesse, Getu Degu, Solomon Mekonnen, Berihun Megabiaw, Wondwosen Zemene, Assefa Getachew, Belaynew Wassie, Solomon Amsalu, Mamo Wubshet, Mezgebu Yitayal, Fasil Tessema, Yihunie Lakew, Tariku Dejene, Ejigu Gebeye, Melkamu Birku, Yosef Fekadu, Population Dynamics in Dabat Health and Demographic Surveillance System Sites, Dabat District, Northwest Ethiopia: A Four-year Surveillance Report (2009 To 2012) , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 7 No. 1 (2015)
- Meseret Mulu, Alem Getaneh, Worku Ferede, Aschalew Gelaw, Nasal Carriage Rate Of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern And Associated Risk Factors Among Pregnant Women At The University Of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital Northwest, Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 11 No. 1 (2021)
- Sisay Getie, Abebe Genetu , Abebe A. Fola, Ligabaw Worku, Gebeyaw Getnet , Meseret Birhanie, Yitayih Wondimeneh, Getachew Ferede, Mengistu Endris, Agersew Alemu, Biniam Mathewos, Aberham Abere, Robert Burton, Dylan R Pillai, Preventive Measures and Diagnosis of Asymptomatic Malaria in Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 8 No. 1 (2017)
- Baye Gelaw, Shimelis Assefa, Takele Teklu, Simon G/tsadik, Wubet Berhane, Meseret Alem, Yetayal Sheferaw, Audit on the Laboratory Diagnosis of Malaria Parasites at the University of Gondar Hospital Laboratory, Northwest Ethiopia , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 3 No. I (2010)
- Jemal Ali, Huda Mohammed, Adugna Abera, Yohannes Mengistu, Beverley Singh, Adrian Puren, Dawit Wolday, Comparison of the Bed-Igg Captured EIA HIV-1 Incidence Assay with the Who-Criteria for Identifying Recently HIV Infected Individuals for Enrollment in the HIVDR-TS , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 5 No. 1 (2012)
- Aschalew Gelaw, Review on the epidemiology of astrovirus infections in East Africa and its public health significance , Ethiopian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences: Vol. 15 No. 1 (2025)