Journal of Tropical Diseases & Public Health

Abstract

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections in St. Marry Hospital, Axum, Northern Ethiopia: A Retrospective Study

Daniel Getacher Feleke, Shambel Tarko, Haftom Hadush, Daniel Gebretsadik, Yosef Zenebe and Awol Seid

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are an important public health problem in developing countries. The aim of this study is to get information about the presence and prevalence of intestinal parasites.

Methods: A hospital based retrospective study was carried out for the prevalence of intestinal parasites in Axum Saint Marry hospital, Tigray from September 2013 to August 2015. In the study hospital standard operating procedures (SOPs) is used in every procedures of stool sample examination. Stool samples were examined by experienced laboratory technologists within 2 hours of collection using direct wet mount and formal-Ether concentration techniques.

Results: Of the examined 21,611 stool samples 7,663 (35.5%) were positive for intestinal parasites. The dominant parasites detected were Entameoba histolytica 3,892 (50.8%) followed by Gardia lamblia 2,507 (32.7%), Hookworm 499 (6.5%) and Schistosma mansoni 296 (3.9%). Other helminthes were also isolated and recorded in the laboratory registration book.

Conclusion: This retrospective study showed a variable prevalence of intestinal parasites from year to year but with no significant reduction. Health education and practical measures on personal and environmental sanitation such as proper waste disposal are important to reduce intestinal parasitic infection in the study area.