Abstract:
Background: Intestinal parasite infections are one of the most common parasitic illnesses in
humans, causing significant morbidity and mortality around the world. In Ethiopia, intestinal
parasites are one of the top 10 causes of death, especially among school children. Several studies
in the country have found a high prevalence rate of intestinal parasites in schoolchildren, but
epidemiological data for the Horo Buluk area is still lacking.
Objective: To assess the magnitude of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Factors among
Schoolchildren in Primary Schools of Horo Buluk district, Oromia Regional State, West
Ethiopia, 2022.
Methods and Material: - From September to November , Facility-based cross-sectional study
was undertaken on a total of 402 students from four primary schools in Horo Buluk District,
Western Ethiopia, using a simple random sample technique. Stool samples were collected from
each student for parasitological examination using direct saline preparation and formal-ether
concentration. Data were collected by structured questionnaires and parasitological examination.
Data was collected by face to face interview and using checklist. Data was cleaned and entered
using Epi-data version 3.1, and analyzed using SPSS statistical package for windows, version
25.0.Variables with p-value <0.05 was included in the final model and independent variables
with a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant and associated factors of intestinal
parasite among primary school students.
Result: - The prevalence of intestinal parasites among primary school students in Horo Buluk
District was 65.25% (246/377). Residence (AOR =5.45, CI = 2.293 - 12.949; p = 0.001), family
income (AOR = 8.377, CI = 3.552 - 19.752; p = 0.001),place of defecation (AOR = 4.747; CI =
1.820 - 12.379; p = 0.001),source of drinking water (AOR = 3.124; CI = 1.325 - 7.3; p
=0.009),washing habit after toilet use AOR = 2.34; CI = 1:047 – 5.312; p = 0.038) and ways of
waste disposal(AOR = 4.747;CI = 1.820-12.379; p = 0.001)were found to be significantly
associated with intestinal parasite.
Conclusion and Recommendation: The prevalence of intestinal parasite among primary school
students in Horo Buluk was 65.25%. The factors such as residence, family income ,place of
defecation ,source of drinking water ,hand washing habit after toilet use ,ways of waste dispose
were the most important predictors of intestinal parasites(p <0.05). Horo Buluk District primary
school students are likely at a high burden of IPIs. Intensive health education on personal
hygiene and environmental sanitation as well as regular deworming program is needed.
