PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITE INFECTIONS AND PARASITOLOGICAL QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER AND ITS HANDLING PRACTICES IN GURSUM TOWN,OROMIA REGION,ETHIOPIA

Diseases related to inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene are a huge burden in developing countries including Ethiopia. The objectives of the present study was to assess the parasitological quality of drinking water sources in Gursum town, to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites (IPIs) in stool samples of people living in Gursum town and to evaluate association between risk factors and prevalence of IPIs in water and stool samples. The design of the study was a cross sectional epidemiological study involving a total of 384 study participants who provided 384 fresh stool samples, 160 water samples collected from river, spring, well and pipe sources and 384 respondents were participated in the questionnaire survey during March to April 2018. Statistical analysis was Elaborated with the statistical packages SPSS for windows version23. The stool samples were examined using direct wet-mount method, formal- ether concentration method and modified Zahel Neelsen methods. Out of the total 384 stool samples examined 114 were found positive for one or more intestinal parasites with overall prevalence of 30%. Of these, the prevalence of intestinal parasite infection in male and female study participants was 36.3% (65/179) and 23.9% (49/205), respectively. The major protozoan parasite species detected in the stool samples were Entamoeba histolytica /dispar, Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium species with prevalence of 9.4%, 7.3% and 3.9%, respectively. The major helminth parasites species identified in the stool samples were Strongyloides stercoralis, hookworm species, Tenia saginata and Hymenolepis nana with prevalence of 3%, 2%, 2.% and 3%, respectively. Out of the total 160 water samples examined, 85 (53%) were found positive for parasites. The major parasite species detected in examined water samples were E. histolytica / dispar, G. lamblia and Cryptosporidium species with prevalence of 18.8%, 23% and 11.3%, respectively. The risk factors that most associated with intestinal water borne parasites were use of unprotected river and spring water which are 47%, 43% respectively; means of storing water 66%; latrine facility problem 81.3% not washing hand after toilet 30% which is p