Risk Factors Among Children in Shendi City, River Nile State- Sudan

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was conducted in Shendi city, River Nile State- Sudan to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection and their associated risk factors among children during the period from March 2018 to March 2019. The study was conducted on 272 children, 137 (50.4%) were males and 135 (49.6%) were females. Fecal samples were taken from all children included in the study, in addition to the epidemiological and parasitological data were obtained and recorded. All samples were examined to detect intestinal parasite species by using wet preparation, floatation technique and formal ether concentration technique. The study showed that the prevalence rate of intestinal parasites was (27.5%) and intestinal protozoa were more prevalent (26.8%) than intestinal helminthes (0.7%). The prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infections by using wet preparation, formal ether concentration technique and zinc sulphate floatation technique were (21.6%), (27.5%) and (20%) respectively (p. value=0.000). The highest prevalence rate (18.8%) of intestinal parasites in the study area was reported with Giardia lamblia. The study revealed that the highest prevalence rate (53.3%) was reported among males while females reported (46.7%) prevalence rate. The highest prevalence rate (37.3%) was reported among the ≤ 4 and 5-9 years old. The results showed that the difference in prevalence rates of intestinal parasitic infections according to symptoms was found to be statistically insignificant except with the abdominal pain (p. value=0.015). The results showed that the difference in prevalence rates of intestinal parasitic infections according to their associated risk factors was found to be statistically insignificant except with the hands washing, vegetables and fruits washing (p. value=0.0001 and 0.0003 respectively). The study indicated that the prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infections among children in the study area was high (27.5%).