Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Helminthes, the Neglected Tropical Diseases, and Its Associated Risk Factors in Mekaneselam Town, South Wollo, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Background Intestinal parasitic (IP) infections caused by helminthes are among the most significant public health concerns that mainly affect deprived people in Sub-Sahara African countries. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic helminthes among patients attending Mekaneselam hospital. Method In this cross-sectional study stool specimens were collected and examined microscopically to detect intestinal helminthes using direct wet-mount and formal-ether concentration techniques. A structured questionnaire was employed to obtain information regarding the socio-demographic characteristics and associated risk factors. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Result The overall prevalence of the parasitic helminthes was 12.6% in Mekaneselam town. Seven intestinal helminthe species namely Ascaris lumbricoides (5.6%), Trichuris trichiura (2.2%), Enterobius vermicularis (1.7%), hookworm species (1.2%), Hymenolepsis nana (1.0%), Schistosoma mansoni (0.2%) and Tania species with a prevalence rate of (0.2%) were identified. Significant positive associations observed between intestinal helminthes infection and the socio-demographic characteristics including marital status (χ2 = 7.97, p = 0.047), educational level (χ2 = 9.34, p = 0.025) and residence (χ2 = 3.90, p = 0.048). The odds of being infected with IP helminthes in those divorced patients were three times more than those who were married (AOR = 3.21, CI = 1.15–8.96, p = 0.03). Regarding the education level, illiterate were four times (AOR = 2.61, CI = 1.24–5.49, p = 0.011) and those who attended primary school were three times (AOR = 2.3, CI = 1.029–5.143, p = 0.042), more likely to have helminthic infection. Participants who did not wash their hands after toilet were five times more likely to acquire IP helminthes than their counterparts (AOR = 4.36, CI = 2.83–6.72, p = 0.000). In the case of the feeding habit, study subjects who ate unwashed vegetables were more likely to acquire helminthes than those who did not eat unwashed vegetables (AOR = 5. 43, CI = 4.33–23.77, p = 0.000). Conclusion This study showed considerable prevalence of intestinal helminthes infections in the study area that deserve attentions from concerned bodies.