Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Risk Factors at Red Cross Clinic and Chelaleki Health Center, East Wollega Zone, Ethiopia

Introduction: Intestinal parasites present throughout the world in various degree of prevalence are the major health problems in areas where there is overcrowding, poor environmental sanitation, and personal hygienic practice especially in developing countries like Ethiopia. They are known to cause major morbidity and mortality rate in these countries. This study will provide valuable information about the prevalence of intestinal parasites and help in designing effective preventive and control strategies in the study area. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and the associated risk factors among patients requested for stool examination at Red Cross Clinic and Chelaleki Health Center, East Wollega Zone, Ethiopia. Method: A facility-based cross sectional study was conducted from April 02-23, 2014 at Red Cross Clinic and Chelaleki Health Center. 368 study subjects were included in the study using convenience sampling technique and the socio-demographic data of the study subjects were collected using semi-structured questionnaire. Stool specimens were examined microscopically and data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.Result: A total of 368 stool specimens were collected of which 139(37.8%) respondents were affected with intestinal parasites and 229(62.2%) were not found any intestinal parasitic infection. The two most prevalent intestinal parasites in this study were E. histolytica (16.3%) and G. lamblia (9%). From the total positive cases, 50(50%) were in age group ≤14 years, 64(37%) in 15-29 years, 12(26.6%) in ≥45 years and 13(26%) in 30-44 years. Conclusion: In this study, children were highly affected than the other age groups and infections were caused by poor environmental and personal hygiene.