SEARCHCROSS-SECTIONALpediatrics, public health

cross-sectional·pediatrics, public health, epidemiology, nutrition, infectious disease·PMC10033212

Prevalence and Determinant Factors of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Undernutrition among Primary School Children in North-Central Ethiopia: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Parasitology Research · 6 authors, 2 centres

AI SUMMARY

FIDELITY 100%

POPULATION450 primary school children in Dessie town, North-central Ethiopia

INTERVENTION

COMPARISON

This summary was generated by AI from a single paper. It has not been reviewed by a clinician and is not clinical advice. Verify against the source before acting on it.

AGENT 01 · STRUCTURED SUMMARY

TRACE TO SOURCE

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TL;DR

This cross-sectional study assessed 450 primary school children in Ethiopia and found a 28.9% prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs), with undernutrition also being common; the study identified several risk factors for both conditions.

Full summary

1,058 CHARS

A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 primary school children in Dessie town, Ethiopia, from February to March 2021. Sociodemographic and nutrition data were collected via questionnaires, stool samples were analyzed for parasites, and anthropometric measurements were used to assess nutritional status. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) was 28.9%, with *Entamoeba histolytica/dispar* (9.3%) and *Giardia intestinalis* (7.6%) being the most common. The prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting was 22.4%, 26.2%, and 20.7%, respectively. Significant determinants for IPIs included male gender, age 6-11 years, mother's illiteracy, and poor hygiene practices. Significant determinants for undernutrition included male gender, larger family size, and lower meal frequency. Children with IPIs were found to have a higher likelihood of being underweight, stunted, and wasted. Limitations include the lack of special diagnostic techniques for certain parasites and no evaluation of micronutrient levels.

PICO

PPOPULATION

450 primary school children in Dessie town, North-central Ethiopia

OOUTCOME

Prevalence and determinant factors of intestinal parasitic infections and undernutrition

STUDY TYPE

cross-sectional

SPECIALTY

pediatrics

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

FIDELITY CHECK

100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10033212

Prevalence and Determinant Factors of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Undernutrition among Primary School Children in North-Central Ethiopia: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Parasitology Research

READ THE FULL PAPER

ABSTRACT

Background Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a major public health problem with high morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Undernutrition is a major health problem among school children and affects their cognitive development, psychological development, motor skills, and academic achievements. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinant factors of IPIs and undernutrition among primary school children. Method Cross-sectional study was conducted among 450 children from February to March 2021 at selected primary schools in Dessie town, North-central Ethiopia. Participants were selected using a stratified sampling technique. Pretested questionnaires were used to collect sociodemographic and nutrition-related data. Stool samples were used to diagnose IPIs. Participants' height and weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Nutritional assessment was done using WHO AnthroPlus software. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 software. P -values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Result The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 28.9%. The prevalence of intestinal protozoa and helminths were 19.1% and 9.8%, respectively. Entamoeba histolytica/dispar was the most prevalent parasite (9.3%) followed by Giardia intestinalis (7.6%), Enterobius vermicularis (2.9%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (2.7%). The prevalence of intestinal parasites was higher in male (16.5%) than in female (12.4%) participants. Children whose mother's level of education is illiterate, 6–11 years old, have a habit of eating raw/undercooked fruits and vegetables, untrimmed and dirty fingernails, and sickness in the past week were significantly associated with IPIs. The prevalence of underweight, stunting, and wasting were 22.4%, 26.2%, and 20.7%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression showed gender, family size, meal frequency, and breakfast were significantly associated with undernutrition. IPIs had a statistically significant association with underweight, stunting, and wasting. Conclusion The study showed that IPIs and undernutrition are still major health problems among children in North-central Ethiopia. Periodic deworming, community health, and school health education will be valuable to improve the health, growth, and educational outcome of children.

CITATION EXPORT

Habtye Bisetegn, Habtu Debash, Hussen Ebrahim et al.. Prevalence and Determinant Factors of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Undernutrition among Primary School Children in North-Central Ethiopia: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Parasitology Research. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/2256910

AUTHORS

6 · 2 CENTRES

Habtye Bisetegn, Habtu Debash, Hussen Ebrahim, Yonas Erkihun, Mihret Tilahun, Daniel Getacher Feleke

1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
2Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia