Abstract:
Cryptosporidiosis, resulting from infection by a protozoan parasite of the genus
Cryptosporidium, is a serious opportunistic disease among HIV-seropositive individuals.
Due to its multiple routes of transmission using highly resistant oocysts, it became serious
disease to immuno incompetent people. Cryptosporidium infects 2.2 million HIV
seropositive people in Sub Saharan African every year due to poor hygienic practice and
inefficient water treatment method. Even though this disease is a big treat to many HIV
seropositive individuals in there is a limitation in performing studies. So this cross -
sectional study was made to find out a six-year comprehensive data on the prevalence and
associated risk factors of cryptosporidiosis among HIV seropositive individuals in Felege
Hiwot referral hospital, Bahir Dar. The study used both retrospective cohort and analytical
cross-sectional study methods. The retrospective method of data collection from the past
five years revealed average 6.3% prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among study participants.
The current analytical cross-sectional study found 6.8% prevalence of cryptosporidiosis
during 2019. Among the commonly known risk factors luck of washing hands using soap
aOR 68.36 (95% C.I 5.56-840.14, P=0.00), WHO (IV) aOR 29.42 (95% C.I 2.87-301.64,
P=0.00) and using non tap water for drinking aOR 17.50 (1.55-197.9, P=0.02) respectively
showed the highest significant association with vulnerability Cryptosporidium infection. In
general, HIV seropositive individuals who were infected by other gastrointestinal
infections are more likely to get Cryptosporidium infection because of their poor personal
and environmental hygiene, even when their CD4+
count is average.
Key words: Cryptosporidios