Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Parasitic infections, caused by intestinal protozoan and helminths,
affect more than two billion people worldwide (1). These infections are more prevalent
in the poorest sections of the population and re-infection in endemic areas is
continuous. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal
heliminths in an area of urban and rural Jimma, and compare the rates among different
socio-demographic variables.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 924 children aged 1-5 years living in and
around the town of Jimma in Southwest Ethiopia was conducted. Data was collected
using structured questionnaire by house-to-house visit. Fresh stool sample was collected
and examined under microscope.
RESULTS: Nine hundred and twenty four (88%) of the targeted 1045 children
participated in the study. The age of studied children ranges from 12 to 60 months with
median age of 36 months. Out of 924 children studied, 53% were male with male to
female ratio 1.1:1. Fifty eight percent of these children were from Jimma town,
majorities (66%) Oromo and 59% Muslim. The mothers of majority (43%) were not
educated and the household income was less than 201 Birr in 69%. The overall
prevalence rate of intestinal helminths was 57.4% with Trichuris trichura 31%, Ascaris
lumbricoids 30.5%, Hymenolopis nana 4.3% and hookworm spp 4%. One hundred and
thirty five children had double infections, commonest being with Ascaris lumbricoids
and Trichuris trichura and 13 had triple infections. It is shown as the prevalence rates
and intensity of infection by the identified intestinal helminths was increasing with
child’s age and more males were affected.
CONCLUSION: This study has shown that intestinal helminthic infection mainly
ascariasis and trichuriasis are abundant in toddlers and pre-school children; and
prevalence rate and intensity of infections increases as the age of the child increases. It
also showed that the rate of infection was high in urban settings, male sex, Dawaro
ethnic group, educated mothers and better income family
