PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PROTOZOAN INFECTIONS AMONG CHILDREN (1-4 YEARS) ATTENDING HEALTHCARE SERVICES AT AMUDAT HOSPITAL, AMUDAT DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background

Globally, intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) such as soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and

Protozoa have been noted as one of the most common causes of illnesses and diseases especially among economically disadvantaged communities. With an average prevalence rate of 50% in developed countries and almost 95% in third-world countries, it is estimated that intestinal parasites result in 450 million illnesses. Hence this study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among children (1-4 years) attending healthcare services at Amudat hospital, Amudat district.

 Methodology

A cross-sectional descriptive study utilizing quantitative methods to identify the risk factors of protozoan infections was applied during the study.  A non-random convenient sampling technique was used where the first 10 participants were taken. A total of 100 children whose parents/guardians consented participated in the study. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data.

 Results

61% of the respondents were aged (3-4) years and (88%) of the respondent’s guardians/parents were peasants’ farmers. The overall point prevalence of IPI in the study was 22.0 %, with about 9(41%) of the participants being infected by more than one type of parasite, 15(26.3 %) of those participants infected with intestinal parasites were female while 7(16.3%) of the males participants were infected. The most prevalent ssp of intestinal protozoa was G. lamblia (41%).

 Conclusion

The prevalence of IPIs amongst children aged 1-4yrs in Amudat hospital was relatively low with the most prevalent species being G. lamblia.

 Recommendations

There is a need for the government and the local leaders and health officials to provide health education to the parents to prevent IPI.s among children and the overall population at large.