Damtie, D

2 Publications in AERD

Author Publications

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Intestinal Parasitic Infection among Primary School Children in Dera District, Northwest Ethiopia

By Tegen, D

Background. Globally, over 600 million school children are living with intestinal parasites. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) among school children in Ethiopia and the Amhara region is 52% and 51%, respectively. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of IPIs among primary school children in Dera district, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2019 to February 2020. The study used a structured pretested questionnaire and stool tests to obtain epidemiological and disease data. Data were analyzed using appropriate univariate and multivariable logistic regression methods by statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 25.0. Results. Of the 382 students who were examined for IPIs, 238 (62.3%) (61.8% males, 62.8% females) were positive for one or more IPIs. One hundred thirty-six (35.6%), 98 (25.7%), and 4 (1.05%) were single, double, and triple infections, respectively. Out of the nine species of IPIs detected, Entamoeba sp. was the predominant species (29.6%) followed by hookworm (21.7%), Schistosoma mansoni (11.3%), Taenia sp. (9.2%), Giardia lamblia (5.2%), and Ascaris lumbricoides, Hymenolepis nana, and Enterobius vermicularis (4.2%) each, and Trichuris trichiura (0.5%). Family size greater than five (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.004, 3.13), open field school waste disposal (AOR = 15.88; 95% CI: 1.91, 132.1), and lack of knowledge about intestinal parasitic infection (AOR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1, 3.2) were the independent risk factors associated with the overall prevalence of IPIs. Conclusions. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was high in the Dera district. Health education, extending school-based deworming, and mass treatments are recommended.

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Human Intestinal Parasitic Infections: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors among Elementary School Children in Merawi Town, Northwest Ethiopia

By Damtie, D

Background. Intestinal parasitic infection is still common in Ethiopia. Periodic evaluation of the current status of human intestinal parasitic infections (HIPIs) is a prerequisite to controlling these health threats. This study is aimed at assessing the prevalence and determinant factors of HIPIs among elementary school-age children in Merawi town. Methods. A school-based cross-sectional study design was used among 403 children. The direct wet mount method was used to diagnose the stool samples. The sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of the respondents were collected using structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test and logistic regression. Results. Out of the 403 students, the overall prevalence of HIPIs was 173 (42.9%). The magnitudes of single and double infections were 39.7% and 3.2%, respectively. Seventy-two (17.9%) were positive for Entamoeba histolytica, 63 (15.4%) for Giardia lamblia, 28 (9.6%) for Ascaris lumbricoides, 22 (6.9%) for hookworm, and 1 (0.2%) for Schistosoma mansoni. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was high in the age group of 6-11 years compared to other age groups. The following were the risk factors associated with HIPIs: groups aging 6 to 11 (AOR=9.581; 95% CI: 0.531-17.498; P=0.008), aging 12 to 18 (AOR=3.047; 95% CI: 0.055-1.828; P=0.008), not washing of hands after defecation (AOR=3.683; 95% CI; 1.577-8.598; P=0.003), not regularly washing of hands after defecation (AOR=2.417; 95% CI; 1.224-4.774; P=0.003), dirty fingernails (AOR=2.639; 95% CI: 1.388-5.020; P=0.003), not wearing shoes (AOR=2.779; 95% CI: 1.267-6.096; P=0.011), rural residence (AOR=6.6; 95% CI; 0.06-0.351; P<0.0001), and a family size greater than or equal to five (AOR=2.160; 95% CI: 1.179-3.956; P=0.013). Conclusion. The prevalence of HIPIs among elementary school children in Merawi town was very high. Thus, there is a need for intensive health education for behavioral changes related to personal hygiene and mass treatment for effective control of HIPIs in the study area.

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