Prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminths Infection and associated factors among 2-5 years old children in Dodota District, Arsi Zone, Oromia Region Ethiopia: a community based cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Soil transmitted helminthes parasites infections are one of the
major public health problems in Ethiopia affecting physical growth and
cognitive development of the children. To effectively prevent and control
these neglected diseases, adequate information is required particularly
among such high-risk group.
Objective: To determine prevalence and associated factors of major soil
transmitted helminthes parasite infections among children aged 2-5 years.
Methods: A community based cross-section study was conducted. Data was
collected from 545 randomly selected children aged 2-5 years old using
structured pre-tested questionnaire from June to July 2018. Stool samples
were examined using direct wet mount, kato-katz and Formal-Ether
concentration methods. Data was entered in to Epi-Info version 7 software
and analyzed using SPSS version 21 software. Multivariate analysis was
carried out to determine association between soils transmitted helminthes
parasite infections and independent variables.
Results: Magnitude of soil transmitted helminthes infection was 24.2%.
Children 3-5 years old were 0.649 times less likely to have soil transmitted helminthes infection compared to 2-3 years old children (AOR=0.649, 95%
CI:0.405
were 3.373 times more likely to have the infections compared to those who
used toilet/container (AOR=3.373, 95% CI: 1.602, 7.101).Children who had
habit of playing with soil were 2.634 times more likely to have the infection
compared to their counterpart (AOR=2.634, 95% CI: 1.256, 5.524).Children
who were not given deworming supplementation were 1.273 times more
likely to have the infection.
Conclusion: A considerable proportion of children aged 2-5 years were
toilet use/container for defecation, habit of playing with soil and deworming
supplementation were predictors of Soil transmitted helminthes infections.