Scholarlink

<p>Intestinal parasitic infections continue to pose significant public health challenges in low-income countries, particularly among school children. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of asymptomatic intestinal parasitic infections among primary school children in Zefine Town, Southern Ethiopia. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to March 2023, involving the collection and analysis of stool specimens from 422 students using direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration methods. Additionally, structured questionnaires were used to gather quantitative data on socio-demographic characteristics and potential risk factors. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0, with a significance level set at <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05. The findings revealed that 47.2% of the students tested positive for one or more intestinal parasites, with <i>Giardia lamblia</i> (10.9%), <i>Entamoeba histolytica/dispar</i> (10.9%), and <i>Ascaris lumbricoides</i> (8.3%) being the most prevalent. Single, double, and multiple infections were identified at rates of 39.8%, 3.3%, and 2.8%, respectively. Age-related prevalence was highest among below 14-year-olds (51.2%), and male students exhibited a slightly higher prevalence (51.2%) than female students (43.3%). Factors such as awareness of parasitic infections, habit of stool examination previously and previously infected by parasite were found to be significantly associated with intestinal parasitic infections (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Students with untrimmed fingernails (AOR = 2.44; 95% CI 1.66–3.57; <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001), poor fruit‑washing habits (AOR = 3.72; 95% CI 1.99–6.95; <i>P</i> &lt; 0.01), poor personal hygiene (AOR = 1.72; 95% CI 1.36–3.54; <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001), and open‑field defecation (AOR = 14.51; 95% CI 7.60–27.71; <i>P</i> &lt; 0.01) were associated with increased odds of infection. These results underscore the need for targeted health education initiatives aimed at promoting personal hygiene and increasing awareness to prevent and control intestinal parasitic infections among school children in the region.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections among asymptomatic school children in Zefine Town, South Ethiopia

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月16日

查看全文
  • Alemu Chemeda Ifa,
  • Asfaw Kure

摘要

Intestinal parasitic infections continue to pose significant public health challenges in low-income countries, particularly among school children. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of asymptomatic intestinal parasitic infections among primary school children in Zefine Town, Southern Ethiopia. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to March 2023, involving the collection and analysis of stool specimens from 422 students using direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration methods. Additionally, structured questionnaires were used to gather quantitative data on socio-demographic characteristics and potential risk factors. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. The findings revealed that 47.2% of the students tested positive for one or more intestinal parasites, with Giardia lamblia (10.9%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (10.9%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (8.3%) being the most prevalent. Single, double, and multiple infections were identified at rates of 39.8%, 3.3%, and 2.8%, respectively. Age-related prevalence was highest among below 14-year-olds (51.2%), and male students exhibited a slightly higher prevalence (51.2%) than female students (43.3%). Factors such as awareness of parasitic infections, habit of stool examination previously and previously infected by parasite were found to be significantly associated with intestinal parasitic infections (p < 0.001). Students with untrimmed fingernails (AOR = 2.44; 95% CI 1.66–3.57; P < 0.001), poor fruit‑washing habits (AOR = 3.72; 95% CI 1.99–6.95; P < 0.01), poor personal hygiene (AOR = 1.72; 95% CI 1.36–3.54; P < 0.001), and open‑field defecation (AOR = 14.51; 95% CI 7.60–27.71; P < 0.01) were associated with increased odds of infection. These results underscore the need for targeted health education initiatives aimed at promoting personal hygiene and increasing awareness to prevent and control intestinal parasitic infections among school children in the region.