Prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections and associated risk factors in Simada, Northwest Ethiopia

Background: The paucity of data on intestinal protozoan infections (IPIs) in Sub-Saharan African countries, including Ethiopia, impedes prevention efforts. This study was thus conducted to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of IPIs in Simada, northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted between February and April 2023. Stool samples were collected from 422 individuals who visited Yequassa Health Center in Simada district during the study period and examined for intestinal protozoan parasites using the wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors for IPIs. Results: The overall prevalence of IPIs in this study was 57.1 %. Farmers (AOR (95 % CI) = 8.0 (8.2-28.5)), secondary school students (AOR (95 % CI) = 3.1 (1.1-8.9)), and merchants (AOR (95 % CI) = 4.7 (3.9-12.5)) were more likely to be infected with intestinal protozoan parasites. The odds of IPIs was higher among participants with low income (AOR (95% CI) = 3.3 (1.6-7.0)) and no habit of hand washing before meals (AOR (95% CI) = 12.4 (5.6-27.6)). Conclusion: The study's findings highlight the importance of implementing an effective IPI preventive strategy in the study area, which may involve raising public awareness of the role of factors such as hand washing before meals in IPIs.