PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES AND ASSOCIATED HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG UNDER FIVE YEARS OLD CHILDREN ATTENDING ADOLA WOYU GENERAL HOSPITAL, GUJI ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

<strong>ABSTRACT</strong>: Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common infections worldwide. Intestinal parasites (protozoa and helminthes) cause gastrointestinal tract infection in humans. IPIs predominates the tropics and subtropics and affect under developed countries, where under five years old children suffer the most. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated health problems among under five years’ old children who attended medication at Adola Woyu General Hospital, Guji zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 consquative selected under five years old children who had attended medication at Adola Woyu General Hospital from May 2022 to July 2022 with the respondent rate of 409. Data were collected using structured interview-based questionnaire and laboratory examination procedures. The collected stool samples were examined microscopically using direct wet-mount methods and formal ether concentration techniques and blood samples were examined by complete blood count. Mid-upper arm circumferences of children were measured at the midpoint between the tip of the shoulder and the elbow using a flexible measuring tape. Weight and Height of children were measured and compared with age of them by Z-score 2007. Chi squire test was used to analyses proportion of IPIs and associated health problems. The analyzed data was presented using tables and figures. Out of 409 under five years old children tested for any health problems, 28.12% (115) were IPIs positive, of which 47.8% (55) were male and 52.2% (60) were female. Of these IPIs 53% (61) was helminthes infection, 33% (38) was protozoan parasitic infection and 14% (16) was multiparasitic infection. Of the intestinal parasitic infection, the most prevalent was G. lamblia 21.74% (25) followed by A. lumbricoides 20% (23). The prevalence of malnutrition was 40% (46) with 15.7% (18) manifested as stunting, 20.9% (24) anemia and 3.5% (4) mixed (stunting and anemia). This study also revealed that, only 23.23% (95) of the respondents had heard about IPIs and recognized as a health problems. Generally, the prevalence of IPIs in Adola Woyu General Hospital was relatively high. Also complication diseases such as anemia, malnutrition and stunting have relationship with IPIs due to poor awareness of communities, and environmental sanitation in study area. Therefore, any concerned body should strongly work to increase sources of clean drinking water, continuously giving enough training for health extension, encouraging parents to follow up antenatal care visits.