Abstract:
Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are major public health problems in several tropical and
subtropical developing countries with poor socio-economic status. Intestinal parasites are one of the factors
that cause malnutrition. Children are the most important risk groups for IPIs. Prevention and control
intervention programs of IPIs in general and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) in particular rely on up to
date epidemiological information. There is scarcity of data on prevalence of IPIs and nutritional status in
public elementary schools in Jimma Town.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine prevalence of IPIs and assess their association with
nutritional status among public elementary schoolchildren in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia.
Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted involving 407 schoolchildren selected by
multi-stage sampling techniques, from April to May 2014 in Jimma Town. Structured questionnaire was used
to gather relevant information on demographic characteristics and dietary habit. Fresh stool sample was
collected from each study participants, examined by direct wet mount and McMaster egg counting technique.
Moreover, body weight and height were measured to calculate z- scores of height-for-age and weight-forheight indices. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.
Results: The overall prevalence of IPIs was 68.6%. Prevalence of intestinal helminths and protozoan
infections was 63.4% and 10.9%, respectively. Trichuris trichiura was the predominant parasite (34.9%)
followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (28.5%) and hookworms (11.4%). Moreover, prevalence of malnutrition in
terms of stunting, underweight and wasting was 22.3%, 6.9% and 8.1%, respectively. There was significant
association between malnutrition with wealth index (AOR= 0.566, 95%, CI: 0.320-0.901) and
mothers'/guardians occupation (AOR = 2.095, 95%, CI: 1.5455-4.199). Age group (AOR=1.152, 95%, CI:
1.149-2.61), place of bathing (AOR=2.576, 95%, CI: 1.141-6.575) and shoe wearing habit (AOR=1.643,
95%, CI: 1.104-2.598) were predictors of IPIs. T. trichiura infection was significantly associated with
stunting.
Conclusion: Prevalence of IPIs was high and malnutrition (stunting) was significantly associated with T.
trichiura infection. Efforts should be made to improve hygienic practices of the schoolchildren. The health
extension program should pay attention to elementary schools in Jimma Town in prevention of IPIs and
improve nutritional status of the schoolchildren. School based de-worming programs should be implemented
to prevent deleterious outcomes of the IPIs and to achieve accelerated stunting reduction
