title: Intestinal helminth infections among inmates in Bedele prison with emphasis on soil-transmitted helminths.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intestinal helminths infect more than two billion people worldwide. They are common in developing countries where sanitary facilities are inadequate. There is scarcity of documented data on the magnitude of intestinal helminths among inmates in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of intestinal helminth infections among inmates in Bedele prison, south-western Ethiopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study involving 234 inmates in Bedele prison was conducted in April 2012. Socio-demographic data was collected from each study participant using semi-structured questionnaire. Fresh stool specimens were collected and processed using modified McMaster technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At least one species of intestinal helminth was identified in 111 (47.4 %) of the inmates. Ascaris lumbricoides was the most predominant parasite isolated, followed by the hookworms. Most of the cases of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) were light infections. Untrimmed hand fingernails was significantly associated with A. lumbricoides infection (AOR 0.383, 95 % CI 0.200-0.731).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intestinal helminths are common among the inmates in Bedele prison. Health information should be given to the inmates on proper personal hygiene practices with emphasis on trimming of hand fingernails. Monitoring helminth infections in the inmate population is required.
authors.affiliation: Jimma University Specialized Hospital Laboratory, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia. bahiruterefe@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Bahiru
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Terefe
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Pathology, College of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia. endalew.zemene@ju.edu.et.
authors.forename: Endalew
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zemene
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences and Pathology, College of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia. aeshete8@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Abdurehman E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Mohammed
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D017164:Ascaris lumbricoides / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D006376:Helminths / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011330:Prisons; D012307:Risk Factors; D012987:Soil / Q000469:parasitology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012987:Soil