Abstract:
Infection by soil transmitted helminthes has been increasingly recognized as an important
public health problem in poor and developing countries. To initiate prevention and control
measures for these neglected diseases, adequate information is required among high risk group.
The objective of this study was therefore, to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors
for soil transmitted helrninth infections among urban dwellers in Amanuel town northwest
Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study, involving 403 individuals, was carried out in Arnanuel
between November 2010 and January 2011. A structured questionnaire and observation for
demographic and associated risk factors for soil transmitted helminthes (STHs) infections were
used for data collection. Stool samples were collected in plastic containers from each participant
and transported to Amanuel Health center for parasitological examination. Both direct wet smear
and former-ether sedimentation concentration techniques were used to determine the presence of
· helminthes eggs. 'The overall prevalence of STH infections was 46.2% (186/403). Hookworm
infection was the predominant soil transmitted helminth infections, which was detected in
77(19.1 %) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides which was infected 52(13%) of the study subjects.
Trichiuris trichiura was the least prevalent geo-helminth infection, detected in only 23 (5.7%) of
the study subjects. Majorities, 152(37.7%), had single infection. Double infection occurred in
~
·transmitted helminthes was generally high in school age children and low in infants. The
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common predictors of STH infections in the study, among others, were poor personal hygienic·
conditions, less frequent wearing shoes habit, soil contacting occupation risk, and lack of band
washing habit after using toilet. On the basis of this result, it can be concluded that STH
infection is an important problem among the community of Amanuel town. Therefore, it is
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ABSTRACT
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25(6.2%) of the study subjects and only 9(2.2%) had multiple infection. The prevalence of soil
recommended that education on personal and environmental hygiene should be taken in to
/account to reduce the prevalence of STH infections. Moreover, school age children and other risk
groups should receive regular treatment to control the transmissions of STH infection