Abstract:
Intestinal parasitic infection is one of the major and serious public health problems in developing
countries including Ethiopia. Several epidemiological studies have indicated high prevalence of
intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) among Ethiopian children. The aim of this study was to
determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of IPIs among school children of Teyma
Primary and Junior Secondary school in Bahir Dar town, northwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional
study was conducted from February- April 2018. A structured questionnaire and observation
were used to collect data about the risk factors of IPIs in the study area. Stool specimens were
examined for parasites using formol-ether concentration technique. Data entry and analysis were
done using SPSS version 23 software. Eight species of intestinal parasites were identified from
the total of 350 faecal samples examined. One hundred sixty-nine (48.3 %) of the children
examined were positive for at least one intestinal parasite species. The most common intestinal
parasites identified were Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (30.9 %), hookworm (4.3 %) and Ascaris
lumbricoides (2.9 %). The independent predicators for IPIs in studied subjects were identified to
be swimming habit, frequency of swimming, frequency of water contact, absence of hand
washing habit after defecation, habit of eating raw/unwashed vegetable/meat, dirt matter under
the nail, type of shoes and a habit of not visiting health center when there is abdominal
discomfort (P<0.05). This study revealed a high prevalence of intestinal parasites among school
children of Teyma Primary and Junior Secondary School. Therefore, regular provision of health
education on personal hygiene and environmental sanitation is recommended to prevent and
control IPIs in the study area.
Keywords: Intestinal parasites, School children, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia