Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoa Infections and Associated Risk Factors Among Preschool Aged Children in Mkuranga District, Tanzania: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p><jats:bold>Background: </jats:bold>Intestinal protozoa infections are among the serous public health problems in preschool aged children (PSAC) and can lead to considerable health problems such as growth retardation, anemia, nutrition deficiency, physical weakness and mental health problems. In Tanzania, there is a paucity of data on intestinal protozoa infections though the evidence shows that PSAC can be infected. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal protozoa infections among PSAC and their associated risk factors in Mkuranga district, Tanzania.<jats:bold>Methodology: </jats:bold>A community based cross-sectional study was conducted between April and June 2019 to determine the prevalence of intestinal protozoa. A total of 525 stool samples were collected from PSAC and processed using formal-ether concentration method. Risk factors were identified using questionnaire interview conducted among parents/guardians. All participants were randomly selected from two villages (one located in rural and another in suburban settings). Data were entered and analysed by using SPSS version 23.<jats:bold>Results: </jats:bold>A total of 20 (3.8%) out of 525 PSAC were infected with intestinal protozoa (<jats:italic>Entamoeba coli</jats:italic> or <jats:italic>Giardia lamblia</jats:italic>). Among the assessed risk factors the following were significantly associated with intestinal protozoa: age of PSAC (AOR = 1.05, p = 0.048), age group of parents/guardians (AOR <jats:sub>30-39 years/50 -59years</jats:sub> = 0.16, p = 0.031), household population (AOR <jats:sub>1-5/11+ </jats:sub>= 0.15, P = 0.018 and AOR <jats:sub>6-10/11+ </jats:sub>= 0.10, P = 0.010) and source of water ((AOR <jats:sub>tape within household/spring</jats:sub> = 0.004, p = 0.015), (AOR <jats:sub>protected well/spring</jats:sub> = 0.006, p = 0.023), (AOR <jats:sub>bore hole/spring/spring </jats:sub>= 0.006, p = 0.012), (AOR <jats:sub>tape away of home/spring </jats:sub>= 0.009, p = 0.020) and (ARO <jats:sub>tape at home/spring</jats:sub> = 0.004, p = 0.015)).<jats:bold>Conclusion: </jats:bold>There was a low prevalence of intestinal protozoa infection among PSAC in the two communities studied. Despite low prevalence of intestinal protozoa, the transmission is present hence the need to initiate control measures. Health education should be provided to parents/guardians of PSAC on protecting water sources, treatment of drinking water and supervision of latrine usage by PSAC and introduction of hand washing facilities are crucial.</jats:p>

Prevalence of human intestinal parasitic infections and associated risk factors at Lay Armachiho District Tikildingay town health center, Northwest Ethiopia

“…The HIPIs are one of the main public health problems in hot regions, especially among poor societies (Kefale et al, 2021; Nigus and Amir, 2021). The HIPIs are caused by intestinal parasitic species, mainly divided into protozoa and helminthes (Mustafa et al, 2020). Intestinal parasites of protozoa are unicellular, but helminthes are multi-cellular; and both are eukaryotic organisms, belonging to animal kingdom; inhabit the gastrointestinal tract in human (Beyene, 2018).…”