# Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among Patients Requesting Stool Examination at Kidus Harvey Health Center, Ayna Bugina District, North Wollo, Ethiopia

## TL;DR

This study found that over 40% of patients at a health center in Ethiopia had intestinal parasitic infections, with risk factors including farming, large family size, and poor hygiene practices.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific risk factors for intestinal parasitic infections in a rural Ethiopian population and highlights the need for targeted public health interventions.

## Key findings

- The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 41.09%.
- E. histolytica/dispar and A. lumbricoides were the most common parasites found.
- Married individuals, farmers, and those with large families were at higher risk of infection.

## Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) remain a significant global health burden, disproportionately affecting developing nations. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of IPIs among patients visiting Kidus Harvey Health Center in North Wollo, Ethiopia, from February to April 2023. Stool samples and questionnaire data were collected from 404 voluntary participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, employing descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The overall prevalence of IPIs was 41.09% (166/404). E. histolytica/dispar (16.34%) and A. lumbricoides (7.2%) were the predominant parasitic species. Significant risk factors identified included marital status (married: AOR = 3.536, 95%CI = 1.515–8.250, p = 0.003), occupation (farmers: AOR = 2.447, 95%CI = 0.816–7.337, p = 0.04), family size (> 9 members: AOR = 2.860, 95%CI = 0.619–13.206, p = 0.008), infrequent handwashing before meals, infrequent shoe wearing, contact with water bodies, untreated water sources, and raw meat consumption. The high prevalence of IPIs underscores the need for targeted public health interventions. These interventions should prioritize promoting personal and environmental sanitation, reducing raw meat consumption, and preventing unprotected contact with soil and water. Comprehensive public health campaigns delivering specific hygiene education to high-risk groups, emphasizing handwashing, shoe wearing, and safe water practices, are essential to mitigate the burden of IPIs in this population.