title: Risk factors for intestinal parasitosis among antiretroviral-treated HIV/AIDS patients in Ethiopia.
abstract: Summary A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the risk factors associated with intestinal parasitosis in HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Socio-demographic information was collected and faecal samples were analysed from 384 randomly selected patients on ART. Data on CD4+ T-cell counts and World Health Organization clinical staging were obtained from the medical records at the hospital. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was 56% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 51% to 61%). No opportunistic intestinal parasites or Schistosoma haematobium eggs were detected. Unavailability of latrine and lack of hand washing with soap were associated with Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.75; 95% CI: 1.77 to 4.27 and AOR, 2.67; 95% CI: 1.60 to 4.44, respectively) and Giardia lamblia (AOR, 2.08; 95% CI: 1.08 to 3.99 and AOR, 2.46; 95% CI: 1.06 to 5.75, respectively) infections. Intestinal parasitosis was significantly associated with low CD4 cell count (p = 0.002). In contrast, intestinal parasitic infections were not associated (p > 0.05) with the World Health Organization disease staging. In summary, poor personal hygiene and sanitation practice contributed to the high prevalence of intestinal parasitosis. Routine diagnosis for intestinal parasitic infections should be performed in patients attending ART clinics in this setting.
authors.affiliation: Mahmud Abdulkader Mahmud, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia muheab2008@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mahmud Abdulkader
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mahmud
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Afework Mulugeta
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bezabih
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Rezene Berhe
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Gebru
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D063373:Hand Hygiene; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Africa; Entamoeba histolytica/ dispar; Giardia lamblia; HIV/AIDS; Intestinal parasitosis; Schistosoma haematobium; antiretroviral therapy; risk factors