Effect of Intestinal Parasitic Infection on Nutritional Status on Under-five Children Patients Visiting Assela Referral Hospital, East Arsi Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Background

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) and undernutrition in under-five children are a major public health concern in low and middle-income countries, contributing to childhood morbidity and disability.

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the effect of intestinal parasites on the anthropometric status of outpatients in under five children.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Assela referral hospital, Ethiopia from February 15 to March 30, 2024. Stool samples were collected from 227 children and examined using direct wet mount and formal ether concentration techniques. An Adjusted Odds Ratio analysis was done to test the association between intestinal parasitic infection and nutritional status (stunting, wasting and underweight).

Results

The prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting was 38(16.7%), 64(28.2%), and 59(26%), respectively. The total prevalence of parasitosis was 44(19.4%) of children infected with at least one type of intestinal parasite. The most common intestinal parasitic infections detected in the study were E. histolytica (8.4%), E. vermicularis (4.4%), and Giardia lamblia (3.5%). Residence (rural)(AOR = 2.46,CI 1.31–3.45,P = 0.02) fingernail cleanliness (not clean and also unclimbed AOR = 1.1,CI 1.1–2.3; P = 0.01 and climbed but not clean AOR = 1.22 CI 1.1–3.3;P = 0.01), parental education (unable to read and write AOR = 6.3 CI 1.3–19.1 P = 0.01 and Only able to read and write AOR = 2.91 CI 1.23–7.13;P = 0.02), deworming (lack of IPI treatment AOR = 3.1 CI 1.26–8.56 P = 0.01), water source (unprotected spring AOR = 1.21 CI 1.01–2.1 and unprotected river or stream AOR = 1.22 CI 1.04–4.3 P = 0.01) were more likely to be infected in intestinal parasites than the respective category. Undernutrition (stunting AOR = 4.1 CI 1.92–8.7; P = 0.02; underweight AOR = 8.5, CI 1.69–4.49; P = 0.01 and wasting AOR = 7.64, CI 4.1-16.64; P = 0.02) were significantly associated with intestinal parasitic infections at 5% significant level.

Conclusion

This study indicated that intestinal parasitic infections had significant effect on nutritional status of under five children in study area. To address the problem public health interventions activities were needed like deworming programs, health education, sanitation and nutritional improvement.