Abstract:
Abstract
The World Health Organization considers intestinal parasitic infections are a public health
problem of global importance. These infections are ubiquitous with high prevalence among
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the poor and socioeconomically deprived communities where overcrowding, poor
environmental sanitations, low level\ of education and lack of access to safe water are
prevalent. The effective control and prevention of intestinal parasitic infection requires
sufficient understanding of major risk factors among the most high risk groups. In Ethiopia, a
number of risk factors contribute for the high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections.
Thus, the present study was conducted to quantify the overall prevalence of intestinal
parasitism and to identify associated risk factors in and around Korem, Southern Tigray,
Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among school children and data was
collected from November 2010 to January 2011. Socio-demographic and socioeconomic data
were collected through structured questionnaires and direct observations; 340 stool samples
were examined by direct wet mount and formal ether concentration methods. The presence of
ova (egg), cyst, trophozoite and larval stage of intestinal parasites were confirmed by
microscopic stool examination. Seven species of intestinal parasites were identified among
Hashenge and Zikreswat study subjects with overall prevalence of 58.2%. The most prevalent
<'· parasite from the . .highest to the lowest rate wa~ Ascaris lumbricoides 28.2%, Entamoeba
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histolytica/dispar 15.3%, Trichuris trichiura 10.3%, Giardia intestinal is 8.5%, Hymenolepis
,
nana,7.4%, Schistosoma mansoni 2.4% and Enterobius vermicularis l.2%. The prevalence of
intestinal parasitism was not significantly related to sex, age and irrigation activities (P
>0.05). However, there was significant association between source of drinking water, hand
washing habit, latrine usage, fingernails cleanliness habit and list of intestinal parasitism
(P<O.O~). Therefore, control and intervention programs should be emphasized through health
education in schoolchildren and communities focusing on personal hygiene and