Magnitude Of Intestinal Parasites And Associated Factors,Among Primary Schoolchildren In Horo Buluk District,Oromia Regional State,Western Ethiopia

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.