Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Factors among School Age Children in Urban And Open Defecation Free Rural Kebeles, At Dedo Woreda, South West Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: -Intestinal parasitic infections have been a major public health burdens in low and middle income countries which is most common in rural communities, particularly school age children are among at high risk group in developing countries including Ethiopia. Open defecation is one of the major predisposing factors for intestinal parasitic infections. In Ethiopia, the government is committed to decrease open defecation by integrating with health extension program packages and declaring kebeles free of open defecation as a strategy of improving sanitation to decrease infection of intestinal parasites. Objective:-The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections and associated factors among school age children in urban and open defecation free rural kebele Dedo District, South-west Ethiopia Methods: -Community based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Dedo Woreda from July 15 to August 15, 2021. A total of 607 school age children were involved in the study. The school age children’s were selected using systematic random sampling method. Stool samples were collected using stool cups and processed by formo- ether concentration technique and wet mount was used for detection of protozoan trophozoites. Prevalence and associated factors were computed with descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate regression. Variables with a P-value < 0.05 were considered as statically significant. Results: -Overall, 305 urban and 302 open defecation free rural school age children were investigated and 32.1% of them (30.2% of the urban and 34.1% of the open defecation free rural kebeles) were found to be harboring at least one species of intestinal parasite. In both groups unprotected water source (AOR=2.55, P=0.001 and AOR=3.6,P=0.001), latrine with not hand washing facility (AOR=2.28, P=0.008 and AOR=4.65,P <0.001) not hand washing before having food (AOR=4.6,P<0.001 and AOR=2.32,P=0.025), and latrine not available (AOR=5; P=<0.001and AOR=4.65, P=.02) were significantly associated with IPIs in urban and rural open defecation free kebeles respectively. Conclusion:-.The prevalence of intestinal parasite infection was moderate in the study area with slightly higher in open defecation free kebeles than urban. Recommendations: - Therefore application of community-led total sanitation and hygiene coupled with close follow-up and monitoring was necessary. Additionally continuous community awareness should be strengthened on prevention and control of intestinal parasite infections.