Intestinal Parasitic Infection: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors at Delgi Primary Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in developing nations such as Ethiopia. Determining epidemiological information of IPI is crucial for effective public health planning and intervention. The present study is aimed at assessing the prevalen...

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Main Authors: Tarekegn Addis, Tilahun Yohannes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/tswj/8787678
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author Tarekegn Addis
Tilahun Yohannes
author_facet Tarekegn Addis
Tilahun Yohannes
author_sort Tarekegn Addis
collection DOAJ
description Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in developing nations such as Ethiopia. Determining epidemiological information of IPI is crucial for effective public health planning and intervention. The present study is aimed at assessing the prevalence and associated risk factors of human IPIs at Delgi Primary Hospital, Central Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2023. A stool specimen was collected from 404 selected participants and examined microscopically for the presence of developmental stages of the intestinal parasites. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding the sociodemographic and associated risk factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 23, and a crude odd ratio was calculated to verify and measure the possible association between IPIs and potential risk factors. A p value < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. The overall prevalence of IPIs was 47.20%. Six species of intestinal parasites were identified: Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (16.8%) was the most predominant parasite, followed by Giardia lamblia (9.9%), Ascaris lumbricoides (8.1%), Hookworm species (7.6%), Schistosoma mansoni (4.2%), and Hymenolepis nana (0.5%). Furthermore, double and triple parasitic infections were observed in 10.39% and 0.49% of the study participants, respectively. Not having a habit of handwashing after toilet (AOR=2.048, CI=0.694, 3.583, p=0.001), the habit of eating unwashed vegetables (AOR=3.046, CI=0.685, 5.596, p=0.016), and presence of dirt matter under the nail (AOR=2.939, CI=0.621, 4.418, p=0.001) were found to be significantly associated risk factors. This study showed that IPIs remained a public health concern in the study area. Therefore, regular provision of health education on personal hygiene and sanitation is recommended to prevent and control IPIs in the study area.
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spelling doaj-art-afa51acc50e044c39fec85ae04cd14902025-08-20T02:48:19ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal1537-744X2025-01-01202510.1155/tswj/8787678Intestinal Parasitic Infection: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors at Delgi Primary Hospital, Northwest EthiopiaTarekegn Addis0Tilahun Yohannes1Department of BiologyDepartment of BiologyIntestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in developing nations such as Ethiopia. Determining epidemiological information of IPI is crucial for effective public health planning and intervention. The present study is aimed at assessing the prevalence and associated risk factors of human IPIs at Delgi Primary Hospital, Central Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2023. A stool specimen was collected from 404 selected participants and examined microscopically for the presence of developmental stages of the intestinal parasites. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding the sociodemographic and associated risk factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 23, and a crude odd ratio was calculated to verify and measure the possible association between IPIs and potential risk factors. A p value < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. The overall prevalence of IPIs was 47.20%. Six species of intestinal parasites were identified: Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (16.8%) was the most predominant parasite, followed by Giardia lamblia (9.9%), Ascaris lumbricoides (8.1%), Hookworm species (7.6%), Schistosoma mansoni (4.2%), and Hymenolepis nana (0.5%). Furthermore, double and triple parasitic infections were observed in 10.39% and 0.49% of the study participants, respectively. Not having a habit of handwashing after toilet (AOR=2.048, CI=0.694, 3.583, p=0.001), the habit of eating unwashed vegetables (AOR=3.046, CI=0.685, 5.596, p=0.016), and presence of dirt matter under the nail (AOR=2.939, CI=0.621, 4.418, p=0.001) were found to be significantly associated risk factors. This study showed that IPIs remained a public health concern in the study area. Therefore, regular provision of health education on personal hygiene and sanitation is recommended to prevent and control IPIs in the study area.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/tswj/8787678
spellingShingle Tarekegn Addis
Tilahun Yohannes
Intestinal Parasitic Infection: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors at Delgi Primary Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
The Scientific World Journal
title Intestinal Parasitic Infection: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors at Delgi Primary Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
title_full Intestinal Parasitic Infection: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors at Delgi Primary Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
title_fullStr Intestinal Parasitic Infection: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors at Delgi Primary Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
title_full_unstemmed Intestinal Parasitic Infection: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors at Delgi Primary Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
title_short Intestinal Parasitic Infection: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors at Delgi Primary Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
title_sort intestinal parasitic infection prevalence and associated risk factors at delgi primary hospital northwest ethiopia
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/tswj/8787678
work_keys_str_mv AT tarekegnaddis intestinalparasiticinfectionprevalenceandassociatedriskfactorsatdelgiprimaryhospitalnorthwestethiopia
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