Intestinal Parasitic Infections and the Associated Risk Factors Among Malnourished Children Attending Bele Gesgar Hospital in Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Human intestinal parasites are identified as causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world, particularly in underdeveloped countries. Objective: This study was conducted to assess the status of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) among malnourished children attending Bele Gesgar Primary Hospital and investigate the possible risk factors of infections. Materials and Methods: A case-control study design was employed in this study. The parasites were detected using a wet mount, formalin–ether concentration, and modified Ziehl–Neelsen methods. Results: There were 422 children under the age ≤ 14 who took part in the study. The overall prevalence of IPIs was 31.75% (134/422) among sampled children, 44.07% in malnourished, and 19.43% in well nourished. Among malnourished children, the most prevalent parasites were Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (11.37%), followed by Giardia lamblia (9.48%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (3.79%). The highest protozoal and parasite (helminths) infections were detected in the age groups below 5 years (46.24%) and the lowest in the age group of 11–14 (13.98%). Having no toilet (aOR = 3.541; p = 0.023), not handwashing after toilet (aOR = 3.074; p = 0.010), having contact with animals (aOR = 0.095; p = 0.001), and playing with mud and soil (aOR = 13.210; p = 0.001) were found as significant risk factors of parasitic infection among the malnourished children according to multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: In general, this study indicated that the status of parasite infections in children showed variation based on age and sex. In addition, not toilet usage, not washing hands with soap after toilet, having contact with animals, and playing with mud and soil were significant risk factors (p < 0.05) for IPIs in malnourished children.