Burden of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and the Intensity of Helminth Infection Among Primary School Children in Sidama, Ethiopia: A Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial Analysis.
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Midwifery College of Medicine and Health Science Hawassa University Hawassa Ethiopia hu.edu.et.
- 2School of Public Health College of Medicine and Health Science Hawassa University Hawassa Ethiopia hu.edu.et.
- 3Department of Public Health Institute of Health Sciences Wollega University Nekemte Ethiopia wollegauniversity.edu.et.
- 4Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care Centre for International Health University of Bergen Bergen Norway uib.no.
Abstract
Introduction
Intestinal parasitic infections are a global health issue. Data on protozoal infections and the utilization of count models to describe helminth intensity are limited. This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and the intensity of helminth infections as well as its associated factors among primary school children in Shebedino District, Sidama, Ethiopia.Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 involving 622 primary school children (Grade 1-2/7-10 years old) from six selected schools using a multistage stratified sampling technique. Stool samples were examined using the wet mount and Kato-Katz procedures. Logistic regression was conducted to assess factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections, and zero-inflated negative-binomial regression to identify factors associated with intensity of helminth infection using Stata 17.Result
A total of 622 children provided stool samples for analysis, of whom 334 (53.7%) were boys. The median age was 8.0 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 2 years). The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 348 (56.0%), of whom 253 (40.7%) had a single infection. From the total parasitic infections, 311 (89.4%) were helminth, with Ascaris lumbricoides accounting for 302 (86.8%). Protozoal infections accounted for 110 (31.6%) of the total infections, with G. lamblia being the most common observed protozoa, 95 (27.3%). Males were less likely to be uninfected with A. lumbricoides than females (AOR = 0.6; 95% CI: 0.5, 0.7). The intensity of A. lumbricoides infection was significantly lower among children whose mothers had attended primary or higher education (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3, 0.9).Conclusion
Intestinal parasitic infections are prevalent among primary school children in the rural Sidama region. Improving preventive measures, like access to safe water, improved food hygiene practices, and sanitation routines, while addressing proper personal hygiene through health education for school children, is urgently needed.Trial registration
Pan African Clinical Trials Registry: PACTR202403614331028.
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BibTeX
@article{dadhi2026burden,
title = {{Burden of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and the Intensity of Helminth Infection Among Primary School Children in Sidama, Ethiopia: A Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial Analysis.}},
author = {Aberash Eifa Dadhi and Mekdes Tigistu Yilma and Mehretu Belayneh and Ingunn Marie Stadskleiv Engebretsen and Alemselam Zebdewos Orsango},
journal = {Journal of parasitology research},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1155/japr/2036666},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42910177},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Burden of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and the Intensity of Helminth Infection Among Primary School Children in Sidama, Ethiopia: A Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial Analysis.
AU - Aberash Eifa Dadhi
AU - Mekdes Tigistu Yilma
AU - Mehretu Belayneh
AU - Ingunn Marie Stadskleiv Engebretsen
AU - Alemselam Zebdewos Orsango
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - Journal of parasitology research
DO - 10.1155/japr/2036666
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42910177
AB - Introduction Intestinal parasitic infections are a global health issue. Data on protozoal infections and the utilization of count models to describe helminth intensity are limited. This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and the intensity of helminth infections as well as its associated factors among primary school children in Shebedino District, Sidama, Ethiopia.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 involving 622 primary school children (Grade 1-2/7-10 years old) from six selected schools using a multistage stratified sampling technique. Stool samples were examined using the wet mount and Kato-Katz procedures. Logistic regression was conducted to assess factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections, and zero-inflated negative-binomial regression to identify factors associated with intensity of helminth infection using Stata 17.Result A total of 622 children provided stool samples for analysis, of whom 334 (53.7%) were boys. The median age was 8.0 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 2 years). The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 348 (56.0%), of whom 253 (40.7%) had a single infection. From the total parasitic infections, 311 (89.4%) were helminth, with Ascaris lumbricoides accounting for 302 (86.8%). Protozoal infections accounted for 110 (31.6%) of the total infections, with G. lamblia being the most common observed protozoa, 95 (27.3%). Males were less likely to be uninfected with A. lumbricoides than females (AOR = 0.6; 95% CI: 0.5, 0.7). The intensity of A. lumbricoides infection was significantly lower among children whose mothers had attended primary or higher education (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3, 0.9).Conclusion Intestinal parasitic infections are prevalent among primary school children in the rural Sidama region. Improving preventive measures, like access to safe water, improved food hygiene practices, and sanitation routines, while addressing proper personal hygiene through health education for school children, is urgently needed.Trial registration Pan African Clinical Trials Registry: PACTR202403614331028.
SN - 2090-0023
SN - 2090-0031
ER -