Infection Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Protozoans in Atat Hospital, Gurage Zone, Ethiopia: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic protozoan infections remain as the major public health concerns in many developing countries like Ethiopia. A retrospective analysis was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic protozoan infection in patients admitted at Atat Hospital from September 2014 to August 2016. Stool samples collected from the patients were examined using direct wet mount and formal-Ether concentration techniques by experienced laboratory technologists of the hospital. Out of 15, 731 examined stool samples, 7062 (45%) were infected by intestinal protozoan parasites. Most of the infected individuals were infected by Entamoeba histolytica (60.0%) and the least was infected by Cryptosporidium parvum (3.6%). Higher infection was observed among males, 5-9 year age group, and during wet seasons. This study showed a yearly fluctuation of intestinal parasitic protozoan infections. Therefore, strategic, integrated and community participatory prevention and control program needs to be implemented in the study area.