Prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminths Infection and associated factors among 2-5 years old children in Dodota District, Arsi Zone, Oromia Region Ethiopia: a community based cross sectional study

Background: Soil transmitted helminthes parasites infections are one of the major public health problems in Ethiopia affecting physical growth and cognitive development of the children. To effectively prevent and control these neglected diseases, adequate information is required particularly among such high-risk group.Objective: To determine prevalence and associated factors of major soil transmitted helminthes parasite infections among children aged 2-5 years. Methods: A community based cross-section study was conducted. Data was collected from 545 randomly selected children aged 2-5 years old using structured pre-tested questionnaire from June to July 2018. Stool samples were examined using direct wet mount, kato-katz and Formal-Ether concentration methods. Data was entered in to Epi-Info version 7 software and analyzed using SPSS version 21 software. Multivariate analysis was carried out to determine association between soils transmitted helminthes parasite infections and independent variables. Results: Magnitude of soil transmitted helminthes infection was 24.2%. Children 3-5 years old were 0.649 times less likely to have soil transmitted helminthes infection compared to 2-3 years old children (AOR=0.649, 95% CI:0.405were 3.373 times more likely to have the infections compared to those who used toilet/container (AOR=3.373, 95% CI: 1.602, 7.101).Children who had habit of playing with soil were 2.634 times more likely to have the infection compared to their counterpart (AOR=2.634, 95% CI: 1.256, 5.524).Children who were not given deworming supplementation were 1.273 times more likely to have the infection. Conclusion: A considerable proportion of children aged 2-5 years were toilet use/container for defecation, habit of playing with soil and deworming supplementation were predictors of Soil transmitted helminthes infections.