Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites Co-infection and Associated Factors Among Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in Adama Town, East Shoa, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Tuberculosis and parasitic infections are co-endemic in many parts of the world. The treatments of many patients with tuberculosis are under the influence of Intestinal parasite infection that worsens the progression of this disease. Hence, adequate information on co-infection rate is needed to undertake the integrated prevention and control program. Therefore this study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasite co-infection and associated factors among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Adama Town, East shoa, Oromia, Ethiopia. A facility based cross sectional study was conducted from November 2018 up to January 2019 using multi stage random sampling technique. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and potential risk factors for intestinal parasite co-infection was collected by standardized semi structured interviewer administered questionnaire. One gram stool samples for direct saline microscopy, formol-ether concentration technique and modified acid fast staining was collected and processed in accordance to the standard parasitological techniques and procedures at Adama Science and Technology University Higher Health Center Laboratory. Data entry was done by EPI info version 7, and analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Pearson chi-square and multiple logistic regression models were used to identify associated factors. Overall co-infection rate of intestinal parasites was 75 (21.4%) (95% CI: 17.1-25.4). Protozoans' account 40 (11.4%) and Helminthes were 35 (10.0%). The predominate isolates were Entamoeba histolytica 30 (40%) and Ascaris lumbricoides12 (16.0%) from protozoans and helminthes, respectively. Eating raw vegetables/ fruits without washing or peeling [AOR]: 5.311 (2.089-13.506), habit of not using soup [AOR]: 11.238 (3.134-40.296) and Body mass index<18.5 kg/m 2 [AOR]: 15.337 (5.860-40.142) were significant determinants of intestinal parasite among pulmonary tuberculosis patient. In general overall co-infection rate of intestinal parasites in this study was high (21.4%). Therefore, integrating screening and mass deworming of parasite into existing tuberculosis program should be considered.