Abstract:
Objective. To assess the magnitude of intestinal parasitic infection and associated risk factors in Teda Health Centre, Northwest
Ethiopia. Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Teda Health Centre from February to April, 2011. Stool samples were
collected from 410 study participants and analysed by direct wet mount and formal ether concentration techniques. Furthermore,
sociodemographic data were collected by using standardized questionnaire. Result. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic
infection in this study was 62.3%. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most predominant parasite (23.2%) followed by Giardia intestinalis
(12.4%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (4.6%), Schistosomamansoni (8.9%), hookworm(6.6%), Hymenolepis nana (1.5%), Enterobius
vermicularis (0.4%), and Strongyloides stercoralis (0.2%). Absence of toilet and hand washing after toilet was shown to be associated
with intestinal parasitic infection (𝑃 < 0.05 for both). Furthermore, swimming and less shoe wearing habits showed a significant
prevalence of S.mansoni and hookworminfections, respectively. Conclusion.The present study showed high prevalence of intestinal
parasitic infection in the study area. Absence of toilet and hand washing after toilet was found to be associated with intestinal
parasitic infection.Therefore, there is a need for integrated control programme to have a lasting impact on transmission of intestinal
parasitic infection.
