Background: Understanding the epidemiology of intestinal parasitic infection is essential for the effective management of HIV infection in areas where intestinal parasites are also endemic. Data on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHWA) in Cameroon are sparse. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections, as well as assess the predisposing factors for the infection in PLHWA in Fako Division of Cameroon. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between April and July 2014. Stool specimen were collected from consented participants and examined for ova, cysts, larvae or oocytes using the Kato-Katz, Formalin-Ether Concentration, Modified Ziehl-Neelsen and Modified field staining techniques. Statistical analysis performed included the Chi-square test and logistic regression. P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: At the end of the study, 300 participants were enrolled, the majority being females 236 (78.6%). The participants were between 21-70 years (mean±SD = 40±10) of age. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 82.6% (95% CI: 78.4 -87.0). The prevalence of infection was associated with age, being more prevalent in the age group 51-60 years (p=0.032). Intestinal protozoa were more prevalent than intestinal helminthes (74.3% vs 11.3%). The parasites isolated included: Cryptosporidium parvum (44.0%), Blastocystis hominis (25.0%), Microsporidium spp. (21.0%), Entamoeba histolytica (7.3%), Ascaris lumbricoïdes (4.3%), Isospora belli (4.3%), Trichuris trichiura (2.3%), hookworm (2.7%), Hymenolepis nana (1.3%), Strongyloïdes stercoralis (0.7%), Cyclospora cayetatensis (3.7%) and Giardia lamblia (3.3%). The predisposing factors for infection with intestinal parasites included poor educational background (OR=0.33, p=0.02), unskilled worker (OR=0.27, p=0.04), well as a source of drinking water (OR=2.6, p=0.03), and living with cats as pets (OR=3.06, p=0.01). Conclusion: A very high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was observed in PLHWA. Major predisposing factors for intestinal parasites infection included primary level of education, ownership of cats as pets, wells as source of drinking water and having a blue collar job. Routine screening for intestinal parasites should be instituted as part of HIV care in Fako division of Cameroon to improve on the management of HIV. HIV, protozoa, helminthes, prevalence, predisposing factors, Fako Division, cameroon
Keywords:
BackgroundIntestinal parasites are highly endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa [1], a region which is currently experiencing the highest burden of HIV/AIDS [1]. With the overlap in the distribution of both diseases, co-infection with one or more intestinal parasites and HIV is therefore common in the region [2]. The incidence of Intestinal parasitic infections is approximately 50% in developed countries whereas it reaches up to 95% in developing countries [2]. Cameroon is among the Sub-Saharan African countries...