Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are widely distributed all over the world and
comprise great health concerns in resource poor countries. Up to 600 million school children
are living in area where high transmission of intestinal parasitic infections are common.
Moreover malnutrition is responsible for the death of 7.6 million children in the globe every
year. Even though conclusive results have been not yet obtained, several studies showed
various factors for intestinal parasitosis and malnutrition.
Objective: This study aims to assess the magnitude of intestinal parasitic infections,
malnutrition and associated factors among students at Zenzelima primary school.
Methods: A school based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to May 2018. A
total of 405 school children were selected by using systematic random sampling. Fresh stool
samples were processed by direct wet mount microscopy and formol-ether concentration
technique. Z-scores of children’s anthropometric statuses were generated using the WHOAnthroPlus software. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic
variables and associated factors for intestinal parasitic infection and malnutrition. EpiData
statistical software version 3.1 and SPSS statistical software version 23 were used for cleanup
and analysis. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test and logistic regression analysis was done.
P-value less than 0.05 at 95% CI was used to declare statistical significance
Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in this study was 201(49.6%).
The highest prevalence was due to hookworm infection 108(26.7%). In multivariate analysis,
school children who never wore protective shoes were at higher odds of intestinal parasitic
infections (AOR = 2.314, 95% CI: 1.285-4.167, P = 0.005). In anthropometric measurements,
the current study identified 59(14.6%) underweight, 105(25.9%) stunting and 199(49.1%)
thinness. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections, among underweight, stunted and
thin school children was 59(67.8%), 57(54.3 %) and 108(54.3 %), respectively.
In multiple logistic regression analysis children with illiterate mother were significantly
thinner (AOR = 1.806, 95% CI = 1.146-2.845).
Conclusions: Intestinal parasitosis and malnutrition were high in the study area. Lack of
protective shoe wearing was significantly associated with intestinal parasitic infections and
mothers’ educational status was a predictor of thinness of the school children. The
community leaders should advocate the habit of protective shoes for children and improving
educational status for school children parents.
Key words: Intestinal parasitosis, Malnutrition,