PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF GIARDIA LAMBLIA AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING AT WOLKITE UNIVERSITY SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL, SOUTH CENTRAL ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background : Giardiasis is one of the intestinal protozoan disease that cause public health problems in most developing countries as well as some developed countries. due to using contaminated water for drinking and lack of awareness of simple health promotion practices such as washing fruit before eating and hand washing after latrine usage, poor environmental sanitation, improper garbage disposal, unsafe water supply. it causes diarrhea, abdominal cramps, greasy stools, flatulence, epigastria, and steatorrhea. Objective: the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of G.lamblia among patients attended at wolkite university specialized hospital. gurage zone, south central Ethiopia from May to-July , 2021 Method: A cross sectional study was conducted. to assess the prevalence of Giardiasis and associated risk factors among patients attended at wolkite university specialized hospital, gurage zone, south central Ethiopia. A total of 270 patients were used. By using standard statistical calculation with estimated prevalence of 19.95% (36). by 95% confidence level. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding the associated risk factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and p value <0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Result: The prevalence of G.lamblia infection among all age group in this study was 9.3%. Out of the 270 total study subjects 161(59.6%) were females. Among total positives 10(6.2%) were female and 15(13.8%) were males. Among the total study populations of 270 attendants, the highest prevalence of G.lamblia was observed whose residence was in rural and among farmers which is about 11 (13.8%). Conclusion: G.lamblia is a flagellate protozoan referred to as G.intestinalis and has been recognized as the most common intestinal pathogen worldwide. It is considered among the most common human intestinal protozoa, especially in the tropics including our country.This is also true as observed in this study. In this study the overall prevalence of G.lamblia is 9.3%. RECOMMENDATION To reduce the problem of Giardia infection, health education in the community is needed and Further studies should be conducted to fully understanding the epidemiology of parasite using the appropriate longer period of study time is recommended.