Prevalence and risk factors associated with intestinal Helminthic infections with special emphasis to Schistosoma mansoni among fishermen at lake hawassa, Southern ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Schistosomiasis and other intestinal helminthiasis are among the most common parasitic infections in developing countries and their impact on public health has been underestimated even if they cause considerable morbidity and mortality. Schistosomiasis like other neglected tropical diseases is a disease of poverty. It particularly affects agricultural and fishing populations. In Ethiopia, many surveys have shown that schistosomiasis and helminthes infections represent a major public health concern. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the magnitude of Schistosoma mansoni and other intestinal helminthes infections among fishermen at Lake Hawassa, Southern Ethiopia Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2013 in Hawassa, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 243 study subjects were included and systematic random sampling method was applied. Data on socio demographic features and other predisposing factors were collected by using semi structured questionnaires. Stool samples were collected and processed using wet mount, Kato-Katz and formol-ether concentration techniques. Result: Of the total 243 stool samples examined, 169 were positive for one or more of intestinal helminthes with an overall prevalence rate of 69.55 %. The overall prevalence rate of S.mansoni was 29.22%. The other most frequent intestinal helminthes were: A. lumbricoides 99 (40.74%), T. trichiura 87 (35.80%) and hookworm species 14(5.76%). The prevalence of S. mansoni was associated with factors such as swimming, frequency of swimming and frequency of water contact. Conclusion: The prevalence of S. mansoni infection observed in this study indicates that the fishermen could become a potential source of infection and therefore are responsible for parasite transmission. This study had also identified risk factors like habit of hand washing after defecation and before meal and shoe-wearing habits that are associated with helminthes infections other than S. mansoni. Therefore, therapeutic intervention and health education are needed.