02040nas a2200241 4500000000100000008004100001260001200042653001500054653002500069653001300094653003200107653002000139100001300159700001100172700001400183700001400197700001200211245011500223300001200338490000700350520142700357022001401784 2022 d c09/202210aAscariasis10aAscaris lumbricoides10aEthiopia10aNeglected Tropical Diseases10aSchool children1 aHajare S1 aMulu T1 aUpadhye V1 aChauhan N1 aEriso F00aPrevalence of infections among elementary school children and associated risk factors from Southern Ethiopia. a643-6520 v463 a

Intestinal parasitic infections are distributed virtually throughout the world, with high prevalence rates in tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world as well as in Ethiopia. Children between age groups of 5-10 years are at the highest risk of infection. The intestinal nematode infects approximately 25% of the world's population annually. Hence, this study was the first attempt to assess the prevalence and associated factors of infection among the school children from Offa district, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April, 2020 in three selected elementary school. Data were collected through questionnaires and stool samples examination. The overall prevalence of was noted as 41.4% and was the leading cause of intestinal parasitoids followed by (27.6%), (18.1%) and (4.1%). Children age group between 5 and 10 years found more susceptible to the infection. Eating habits like unwashed raw vegetables ( = 0.035), absence of toilets ( = 0.000), children who defecate in open field ( = 0.041), drinking unprotected water ( = 0.034), toilet without cover ( = 0.027), lack of hand washing before meal and after defecation ( = 0.000), ( = 0.048) were the key factors significantly associated with infection. The present study showed that was a major health problem among school children and requires annual de-worming to control morbidity associated with intestinal parasites.

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