Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Assessment of Associated Factors among Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients Attending Selected Health Facilities in Harar Town, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Co-infection of intestinal parasites (IPs) and tuberculosis (TB) in humans is an important public health problem in developing countries where both diseases are common. However, there are limited studies on the epidemiology of this co-infection elsewhere in Ethiopia and particularly none in the current study area. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) and its associated factors among pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients attending selected health facilities in Harar Town, Eastern Ethiopia. Methods: Health facility based cross-sectional study was carried out from July 01 to August 30, 2021. PTB patients were enrolled in the study using non-random consecutive sampling technique. A structured questionnaire using face to face interview and checklist were used to collect data on socio-demographic, clinical and associated factors to IPIs. Height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). About 3-5grams of stool sample was collected and processed using direct saline mount, formol-ether concentration, modified Ziehl- Neelsen staining and Kato-Katz technique following standard procedures. All data were entered into Epi-Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 25.0 software for analysis. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression, odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used during data analysis. A p-value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The overall IPI rate among a total of 277 PTB patients included in the study was 28.5%. Intestinal helminths and protozoa infections accounted 16.2% and 12.3%, respectively. Double parasite species infection was observed in 5(1.8%) of study participants. A. lumbricoides accounted for the highest frequency (7.2%), followed by G. lamblia (5.4%) and E. histolytica/dispar (4.3%). Presence of dirt in fingernail (AOR=3.04, 95% CI: 1.12-8.22, p=0.029), having raised livestock at home (AOR=5.53, 95% CI: 1.58-19.38, p=0.016) and BMI<18.5 (AOR=8.56, 95% CI: 3.88-18.88, p=0.000) were associated factors for IPIs among PTB patients. Conclusion: High infection rate of IPs, predominantly A. lumbricoides was observed among PTB patients. Presence of dirt in fingernails, having raised livestock at home and low BMI were associated factors for IPIs. Therefore, routine screening and prompt treatment for IPIs among PTB patients was recommended in order to ensure good TB prognosis