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Background <p>Intestinal parasitic infections pose a major public health issue, particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia, affecting children’s health through malnutrition, anemia, and cognitive impairment. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of these infections and associated factors among children under five years old at Jinka Millennium Health Centers in South Ethiopia in 2025.</p> Methods <p>An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2025, involving 257 children under five years old at Jinka Millennium Health Center. Data were collected using structured, pretested questionnaires administered through interviews and complemented by stool examination. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were used to summarize the data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. Variables with a p-value ≤ 0.25 in bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable model. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value &lt; 0.05 with 95% confidence intervals.</p> Results <p>The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 21.8% (56/257) (95% CI 16.5–26.7%). Most infected children harbored a single parasite, with <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> 10.1% (26/257) being the most common and <i>Taenia</i> species 0.8% (2/257) the least. Significant factors associated with infection included residence (AOR = 2.96; 95% CI 1.14–7.7), fathers’ educational status (AOR = 5.14; 95% CI 1.34–19.8), and not washing vegetables before consumption (AOR = 3.98; 95% CI 1.36–11.69).</p> Conclusion <p>The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was significant. Factors associated with infection included residence, fathers’ educational status, and vegetable hygiene practices. Interventions focusing on health education and improved hygiene practices are recommended to reduce the burden of these infections.</p>

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Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection and associated factors among children under five years old attending Jinka Millennium Health Center in South Ethiopia

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月12日

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  • Okaso Orkaido,
  • Asrat Wako,
  • Bantahun Batele

摘要

Background

Intestinal parasitic infections pose a major public health issue, particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia, affecting children’s health through malnutrition, anemia, and cognitive impairment. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of these infections and associated factors among children under five years old at Jinka Millennium Health Centers in South Ethiopia in 2025.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2025, involving 257 children under five years old at Jinka Millennium Health Center. Data were collected using structured, pretested questionnaires administered through interviews and complemented by stool examination. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were used to summarize the data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with the outcome variable. Variables with a p-value ≤ 0.25 in bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable model. Statistical significance was declared at a p-value < 0.05 with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 21.8% (56/257) (95% CI 16.5–26.7%). Most infected children harbored a single parasite, with Entamoeba histolytica 10.1% (26/257) being the most common and Taenia species 0.8% (2/257) the least. Significant factors associated with infection included residence (AOR = 2.96; 95% CI 1.14–7.7), fathers’ educational status (AOR = 5.14; 95% CI 1.34–19.8), and not washing vegetables before consumption (AOR = 3.98; 95% CI 1.36–11.69).

Conclusion

The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was significant. Factors associated with infection included residence, fathers’ educational status, and vegetable hygiene practices. Interventions focusing on health education and improved hygiene practices are recommended to reduce the burden of these infections.