Intestinal Parasitosis and Their Associated Factors among People Living with HIV at University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest- Ethiopia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Most HIV clients die of AIDS related intestinalparasitic infections rather than due to the HIV infection itself.Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the prevalence ofintestinal parasite and their associated factors among HIV/AIDSclients at the University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.METHODS: Institution based cross sectional study was conductedusing systematic random sampling technique from March to May2016. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data.Stool samples were collected and processed using direct wet mount,formol-ether concentration and modified Ziehl-Neelson stainingtechniques. Besides, blood samples were collected for CD4+ countestimation. Both descriptive and logistic regression analyses wereused in data analysis. P-values <0.05 were considered asstatistically significant.RESULTS: A total of 223 participants were enrolled in this study,and the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was found to be 29.1%.The most predominant intestinal parasite detected was cyst ofEntamoeba histolytica (8.5%) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides(6.7%), Strongyloides sterocoralis (3.6%) and Cryptosporidiumparvum (3.1%), whereas Schistosoma mansoni (0.9%) andHymenolepis nana (0.9%) were the least detected. Absence of toilet(AOR= 19.4, CI: 6.46-58.3), improper hand washing before meal(AOR=11.23, 95% CI: 4.16-30.27 and CD4+ count < 200 cells/mm 3(AOR=33.31, 95% CI: 9.159-121.149) had significant associationwith prevalence of intestinal parasites.CONCLUSION: The study indicated that intestinal parasites arestill a problem among HIV/AIDS patients in the study area. Thus,routine examination for intestinal parasites and interventionsshould be carried out for better management of clients.