ISSN 2756-3391
African Journal of Parasitology Research Vol. 2 (5), pp. 094-097, May, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A study of the prevalence of S. mansoni and geo-helmenthic infections among patients examined at Workmeda Health Center
*Rupiah Mesfin, Berhanu J. Abraha and Dawud U. Tuma
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Hawassa University, Awasa, Ethiopia.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 26 February, 2015
Abstract
Schistosoma mansoni and geo-helminths are considerable medical and public health problems in Ethiopia. However, information is limited on the epidemiology of these parasitic infections in different areas, it is very important to plan effective prevention and control measures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of S. mansoni and geo-helmenthic infections among patients examined at Workmeda Health Center. Institution based retrospective cross sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of S. mansoni and geo-helmenthic infections among patients from September 2012 to August 2013. A total of 604 participants (56.6% males and 43.4% females) within the age range of six to eighteen were included. A single stool sample was collected and processed using direct microscope. The analysis of the generated data revealed that the overall prevalence of intestinal parasites infection was 32%. The prevalence of S. mansoni and hookworm species were 7.3 and 20.7%, respectively. Patients in the age range of 10 to 14 years had higher (14.7%) rate of infection. Prevalence of S. mansoni (12%) infection was higher in the age range 10 to 14 years. High prevalence of S. mansoni and hookworm species need periodic deworming programme and health education urgent to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Key words: Prevalence, Schistosoma mansoni, geo-helminths, Workmeda.