Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Factors Among Public Primary Second‐Cycle Schoolchildren in Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Intestinal parasitic infection is a common disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries, including Ethiopia. The burden of intestinal parasites is worse in schoolchildren, which leads to absenteeism from school, lower cognitive ability,...

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Main Authors: Abtie Abebaw, Gebreselassie Demeke, Hylemariam Mihiretie Mengist, Mengistu Endalamaw, Gizew Damtie Demeke
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Health Science Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.70339
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author Abtie Abebaw
Gebreselassie Demeke
Hylemariam Mihiretie Mengist
Mengistu Endalamaw
Gizew Damtie Demeke
author_facet Abtie Abebaw
Gebreselassie Demeke
Hylemariam Mihiretie Mengist
Mengistu Endalamaw
Gizew Damtie Demeke
author_sort Abtie Abebaw
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Background and Aims Intestinal parasitic infection is a common disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries, including Ethiopia. The burden of intestinal parasites is worse in schoolchildren, which leads to absenteeism from school, lower cognitive ability, affects academic performance, and causes malnutrition and anemia. While many studies have been reported, there is a paucity of published data in Debre Markos. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated factors among public primary second‐cycle schoolchildren in Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods A school‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted among three selected public primary second‐cycle schools in Debre Markos town from May 1 to 30, 2022. Study participants were selected by using random and systematic sampling techniques with proportional allocation to each grade. Data were collected using semi‐structured questionnaires. A single stool specimen was collected from the study participants and processed using direct wet mount and formol ether concentration technique. Binary logistic regression models were applied to assess the association between independent and outcome variables at a 95% confidence level. Results A total of 343 students were included in the study. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 12% (41/343) with a predominance of hookworms (5.2%, 18/343), followed by Ascaris lumbricoides 2.3% (8/343), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 1.2% (4/343), Hymenolepis nana 0.9% (3/343), Strongyloides stercoralis 0.9% (3/343), Giardia lamblia 0.9% (3/343), and Trichuris trichiura 0.6% (2/343). The habit of open‐field defecation (AOR, 95% CI; 2.43 [1.16–5.09]), not using soap to wash hands (AOR, 95% CI; 2.93 [1.33–6.42]), and not wearing closed shoes (AOR, 95% CI; 3.12 [1.19–8.23]) were factors significantly associated with the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection. Conclusion The prevalence of intestinal parasites was comparatively low in the study area. Open‐field defecation, not using soap to wash hands, and not wearing closed shoes were identified as independent predictors.
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spelling doaj-art-0d0e83372b3847708da1d04cb205911b2025-01-29T03:42:40ZengWileyHealth Science Reports2398-88352025-01-0181n/an/a10.1002/hsr2.70339Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Factors Among Public Primary Second‐Cycle Schoolchildren in Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross‐Sectional StudyAbtie Abebaw0Gebreselassie Demeke1Hylemariam Mihiretie Mengist2Mengistu Endalamaw3Gizew Damtie Demeke4Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences Debre Markos University Debre Markos EthiopiaDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences Debre Markos University Debre Markos EthiopiaDepartment of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences Debre Markos University Debre Markos EthiopiaDebre Markos Campus Gabst College Debre Markos EthiopiaDebre Markos Campus Gabst College Debre Markos EthiopiaABSTRACT Background and Aims Intestinal parasitic infection is a common disease that causes significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries, including Ethiopia. The burden of intestinal parasites is worse in schoolchildren, which leads to absenteeism from school, lower cognitive ability, affects academic performance, and causes malnutrition and anemia. While many studies have been reported, there is a paucity of published data in Debre Markos. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated factors among public primary second‐cycle schoolchildren in Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods A school‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted among three selected public primary second‐cycle schools in Debre Markos town from May 1 to 30, 2022. Study participants were selected by using random and systematic sampling techniques with proportional allocation to each grade. Data were collected using semi‐structured questionnaires. A single stool specimen was collected from the study participants and processed using direct wet mount and formol ether concentration technique. Binary logistic regression models were applied to assess the association between independent and outcome variables at a 95% confidence level. Results A total of 343 students were included in the study. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 12% (41/343) with a predominance of hookworms (5.2%, 18/343), followed by Ascaris lumbricoides 2.3% (8/343), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 1.2% (4/343), Hymenolepis nana 0.9% (3/343), Strongyloides stercoralis 0.9% (3/343), Giardia lamblia 0.9% (3/343), and Trichuris trichiura 0.6% (2/343). The habit of open‐field defecation (AOR, 95% CI; 2.43 [1.16–5.09]), not using soap to wash hands (AOR, 95% CI; 2.93 [1.33–6.42]), and not wearing closed shoes (AOR, 95% CI; 3.12 [1.19–8.23]) were factors significantly associated with the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection. Conclusion The prevalence of intestinal parasites was comparatively low in the study area. Open‐field defecation, not using soap to wash hands, and not wearing closed shoes were identified as independent predictors.https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.70339associated factorsDebre Markosintestinal parasitesschoolchildren
spellingShingle Abtie Abebaw
Gebreselassie Demeke
Hylemariam Mihiretie Mengist
Mengistu Endalamaw
Gizew Damtie Demeke
Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Factors Among Public Primary Second‐Cycle Schoolchildren in Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Health Science Reports
associated factors
Debre Markos
intestinal parasites
schoolchildren
title Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Factors Among Public Primary Second‐Cycle Schoolchildren in Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross‐Sectional Study
title_full Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Factors Among Public Primary Second‐Cycle Schoolchildren in Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross‐Sectional Study
title_fullStr Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Factors Among Public Primary Second‐Cycle Schoolchildren in Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross‐Sectional Study
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Factors Among Public Primary Second‐Cycle Schoolchildren in Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross‐Sectional Study
title_short Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Factors Among Public Primary Second‐Cycle Schoolchildren in Debre Markos Town, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross‐Sectional Study
title_sort prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated factors among public primary second cycle schoolchildren in debre markos town northwest ethiopia a cross sectional study
topic associated factors
Debre Markos
intestinal parasites
schoolchildren
url https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.70339
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