Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoan Infections and the Associated Risk Factors among Children in Bushenyi District, Western Uganda

Aims: To determine the prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections and the associated risk factors in children.

Study Design: A cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in four selected health facilities in Bushenyi District, Western Uganda, between June 2016 and January 2017.

Methodology: A total of 200 children aged below one year to 12 years were enrolled. Stool samples were collected and analyzed according to the established standard methods.

Results: Of the 200 children enrolled, 73(36.5%); CI = 0.000-0.015, had intestinal protozoan infections. The prevalence of Giardia lamblia was the highest (16%) followed by Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (13%) compared to Cryptosporidium spp (4%) and Cyclospora spp (3.5%).The highest prevalence was in the age group 1-4 years (26.8%, OR; 2.601, P = .015), mothers with no formal education (44.4%, OR; 3.240, P = .002) and those with primary level education (23.5%, OR; 1.812,P = .027) were significantly associated with intestinal protozoan infections. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of infections between the females (22.3%) and males (16.5%).

Conclusion: The overall prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections was 73(36.5%), Giardia lamblia (16%) was the most prevalent intestinal protozoan infection in the study. The intestinal protozoan infections were most prevalent among children aged 1-4 years whose mothers had no formal education. Prevention strategies need to be tailored to the respective levels of education.