Abstract:
Typhoid fever (TF) caused by Salmonella enteric serotype typhi is a major public health
concern in low-income countries. In Ethiopia, as in other sub-Saharan African countries, the
situation is worsened by a shortage of safe potable drinking water and limited access to clean
sanitation facilities. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of TF and its
associated risk factors in Bedele and Chora Hospitals, southwest Ethiopia. In this health
facility-based cross-sectional study design, the patients attending Bedele and Chora Hospitals
were the source population and those suspected of TF was successively recruited. Using a
structured questionnaire data related to socio-demographic, clinical, dietary and knowledge
related data were collected. A Univariate and multivariate logistic regression model was
used to test the association between socio-demographic variables and sero positivity for
Salmonella antigens. In this study, of the total 403 cases that participated, the majority
(53.8%) of them were males. Typhoid positivity rate was 65.5%. The majority of study
participants (41.2%) were between the ages of 5 and 14, and 42.7% (172) were illiterates.
59.1% of participants have heard about typhoid fever. Being 5-14 years [AOR = 0.269, 95%
CI (0.096, 0.758)], being above 14 years [AOR =0.14, 95% CI (0.051,0.4), being
female[AOR =0.43, 95% CI (0.203, 0.91)], having income above 1000 birr [AOR =0.179,
95% CI (0.046, 0.695)], heard about typhoid fever [AOR =70.7, 95% CI (31.36, 159.5)], and
those who had stomach ache[AOR =0.34, 95%CI (0.12, 0.94)] were significantly associated
with typhoid fever infection. The prevalence of typhoid fever among febrile patients was high
(65.5%). Typhoid fever infection was significantly associated with age group (5-14 and above
14 years), sex (female), household income (above 1000 birr), primary health canters and have
learned about typhoid fever, including its symptoms. As a result, community-level behavioral
change initiatives are required.
