Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and its Predisposing Factors among Patients Sent for Stool Examination at Ambo General Hospital, Oromiya Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Back ground: Intestinal parasitic infections are the most common infection in the world. In Ethiopia there is a high prevalence of intestinal parasites due to lack of personal hygiene and poor environmental conditions. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites and predisposing factors among patients who sent for stool examination at Ambo general hospital Ambo Town, West Shewa zone. Methodology: A cross- sectional parasitological study was conducted August 22, 2021- August 31, 2021 G.C to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and its portion formula was used to determine a total sample size and convenient sampling technique was used. After ethical approval taken, patients data was collected by face-to face interviewing and recording method. Stool samples was examined by using direct saline and formal ether concentration techniques. Collected data was analyzed manually, checked and edited to determine the related risk factors of the intestinal parasites. Result and Conclusion: There was high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in the study in which 63.1% of them were found to be positive for at least single intestinal parasite. Total of seven intestinal parasites were identified. From the identified species G.lambilia was the most common 110(52.9%) followed by E.histolytica 42(20.2%), A.lambricoids 16(7.7%), Hook worm 12(5.8%), Tina species 10(4.8%), T.trichuria 10(4.8%) and S.mansoni 10(4.8%). Recommendations: Educate the patients and inform the concerned bodies about the risk factors and prevention. This finding from the study could be used as base line data and further investigation should be done to know the problem of intestinal parasitism more in the area by the others.