Cross-Sectional Study on the Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Risk Factors in Teda Health Centre, Northwest Ethiopia

Objective. To assess the magnitude of intestinal parasitic infection and associated risk factors in Teda Health Centre, Northwest Ethiopia. Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Teda Health Centre from February to April, 2011. Stool samples were collected from 410 study participants and analysed by direct wet mount and formal ether concentration techniques. Furthermore, sociodemographic data were collected by using standardized questionnaire. Result. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in this study was 62.3%. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most predominant parasite (23.2%) followed by Giardia intestinalis (12.4%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (4.6%), Schistosoma mansoni (8.9%), hookworm (6.6%), Hymenolepis nana (1.5%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.4%), and Strongyloides stercoralis (0.2%). Absence of toilet and hand washing after toilet was shown to be associated with intestinal parasitic infection ( for both). Furthermore, swimming and less shoe wearing habits showed a significant prevalence of S. mansoni and hookworm infections, respectively. Conclusion. The present study showed high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in the study area. Absence of toilet and hand washing after toilet was found to be associated with intestinal parasitic infection. Therefore, there is a need for integrated control programme to have a lasting impact on transmission of intestinal parasitic infection. 1. Background The intestinal parasites can be protozoan or helminth living within the body. Generally, these parasites are more common in tropics and subtropics than elsewhere in the world [1, 2]. It is closely associated with low income, poor personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, lack of pure water supply, limited access to clean water, tropical climate, and low altitude [1, 2]. Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, and Trichuris trichiura are among the most common parasites in the world [2]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, there are 800–1000 million A. lumbricoides, 700–900 million Hookworm infections, 500 millions T. trichiura, 200 million Giardia intestinalis, and 500 million E. histolytica/dispar cases globally [3]. Despite recent effort to control intestinal parasite infections, the diseases are still the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the world [2]. In Ethiopia, intestinal parasitic infections are the major causes of mortality and morbidity causing a series of public health problems such as malnutrition, anaemia, and growth retardation as well as higher