PREVALENCE OF HOOK WORM INFECTION IN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG BONA ZURIA WOREDA, SIDAMA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

<strong>ABSTRACT</strong>: Hookworm infection is a global health problem of human which is caused by two parasitic species of worm (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus). School age children’s are among the high risk groups for these infections in developing countries. The high prevalence of these parasites is usually correlated with poverty, lack of shoe wear, poor environmental sanitation, and poor fingernail cleanness, lack of finger trimming and lack of well handled latrine. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hookworm infection and associated risk factors among school age children in Bona Zuria Woreda in three selected primary schools from August--December 2020. School based cross sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of intestinal hookworm infection and associated risk factors among school age children. A structured and pre tested questionnaire was administered to assess factors associated with hookworm infections. Stool samples examination was performed using direct smear method. Chi square test was used to assess hookworm infection and associated risk factors at 95% confidence level and p value &lt; or = 0.05 was used as the acceptable level of significance. The overall prevalence of hookworm infection in primary school children of Bona Zuria Woreda was 7.7%. In relatines highly infected children’s with the age between six to nine years and the lowest infection groups were with the age &gt;15 years. Strong association had been between hookworm infection and lack of shoe wear, age, environmental sanitation, and lack of well-handled latrine, untrimming of finger nails, and development in infrastructure, feet wearing and sustainable reduction of the parasites.