Prevalence of Parasitic Intestinal Infestation and Associated Factors Among Primary School Children of Hodeidah , Yemen

Abstract

Background : Intestinal  parasitic infestations (IPIs) Worldwide endemic illness  especially in tropical and sub-tropical countries. Parasitic infestation are regarded as serious public health problem Objectives: To determine the prevalence and associated risk f actors of intestinal parasites among primary  school children in Hodeidah , Yemen. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study ,  a total of 421 stool samples were collected from students , aged 6 – 14 years , 268 males and 153 females .This specimens were examined by direct microscopic technique for the presence of intestinal parasites and using the validated questionnaire. Results: Revealed that out of the 421 stool samples collected from schools children in in Hodeidah city in Yemen, 338 were found positive for gastrointestinal parasites. This constituted an overall prevalence rate of 80.2 %. The study revealed that the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 64 % of males and 36% of females. The highest prevalence rate (47.92%) was reported among the 12-14 years age group. Overall, protozoa infections were higher than the helminthes infections namely 191 cases (45.3%) of  Entamoeba histolytica and 107 (25.4%) of Giardia lamblia  that were the commonest IPI identified.  On the other hand , major risk factors were recorded that seem  to have effect in the transmission of IPI . 84.32 % (n: 355 ) , 76.96 % (n:324 ) of children in basic schools had sewage at home and school respectively. The Knowledge Attitude and Practices (KAP) for prevention of IPI in children  were assessed  , 46.08 % of children had hand washing before eating , 41.33%  had hand washing before and after log in bathroom. On the other hand , 11.08 % had lesson of IPI prevention from schools radio.  On the other mean , a high prevalence rate of IPI was reported amongst 421 primary school children, with varying prevalence of protozoa depending on geographical locations of the district (p – value < 0.001). Even though there was no association between IPI and age and gender groups (p – value = 0.280), there were environmental factors that contributed greatly to the prevalence of the disease, especially proximity to the sewage system. Conclusion: confirmed that drinking untreated water, not washing hands after defecation and contact with animals was a significant risk factor with parasitic infections.