PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES AND ITS PREDISPOSING FACTORS AMONG PATIENTS REQUESTED FOR STOOL EXAMINATION AT AGENA PRIMARY HOSPITAL, GURAGE ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: In low-income nations, intestinal parasite infections (IPIs) have been important public health issues. Environmental, socioeconomic, and geographical factors, among others, may influence the distribution of intestinal parasites. Intestinal parasitic infections would cause health and social difficulties such as mal-absorption, diarrhea, diminished job ability, and slower growth. Endameba histolytic ca, Giardia lamblia, Hookworm and cryptosporidium speciesare oneof the leading causes of morbidity in Africa, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and Ethiopia. Objective: To determine the prevalence of IPIs and its predisposing risk factors among patients requested for stool examination at Agena Primary Hospital, Gurage Zone, Ethiopia during the study period. Method: From November 1 to January 7, 2025, a hospital-based cross-sectional study with 194study participants was undertaken. Convenience sampling technique was used to identify study participants. Microscopically, stool samples were analyzed utilizing direct wet-mount and formal-ether concentration procedures. To gather information about the predisposing risk factors,socio-demographic characteristics and independent variables, a face to face interview was used using a structured questionnaire. And the data was analyzed with SPSS version 25 software to discover the risk variables for intestinal parasite infection. The chi-square test was used to see the relationship between dependent and independent variables, P-values less than 0.05 are deemed significant. Results: According to the study out of 194 patients were examined, of which 117 (60.3%) were female and 77 (39.7%) were male. From sampled population 87(44.8%) of patients were positive for IPIs, where 83(93.3%) for single infection and 4(2.06%) for double infection, respectively, while 107(55.2%) were negative for any parasites. The most common parasite was Entamoebahistolytica/dispar 30(15.4%), Giardia lamblia 27(13.9%), Ascaris lumbricoides 13(6.7%),Hookworm 8(4.1%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar & Giardia lambilia 4(2.06%) and Taeniasaginata 5(2.6%), respectively. Habit of hand washing before meal and after defecation, latrineavailability and usage, lack of shoe wearing habit trimming finger nail and usage of water treatment were significant factors(p<0.05). Conclusion: A relatively low prevalence of intestinal parasite infections was observed among patients of Agena health center requested for the stool examination