ISSN: 2471-9315
Yanbanesh Asmare*, Abaynew Honelgn, Tadesse Wuletaw
Background: Strongyloides stercoralis and hookworms are parasitic intestinal nematodes that belong to the group of
soil-transmitted helminths; the two parasitic infections occur when larvae living in faecally-polluted soil penetrate
intact skin.
Hookworm infection is caused by Helminth nematode parasites Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale whereas,
Strongyloidiasis is caused by parasitic nematodes of the genus Strongyloides stercoralis, Strongyloides fuelleborni, and
Strongyloides fuelleborni kellyi known to parasitize humans.
Autoinfection allows S. stercoralis to last in the human host for prolonged periods. Strongyloides and hookworm larvae
migrate to the lungs to be coughed up and swallowed, thus entering the gut where they mature.
Methods: Institutional-based cross-sectional studies design to assess the prevalence and associated factors of
hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis infestation at Debre Tabor Town, Northwest Ethiopia.
Results: From the total of 422 study subjects who participated, 220 (52.1%) were males and 202 (47.9%) were
females. Among the participants, 169 (40%), 105(24.9%), 38(9%), 9(2.1%) were farmers, students, daily laborers,
and children respectively. Regarding the residence, 237(56.2%) were rural and 185 (43.8%) urban dwellers. The
prevalence of hookworm was found to be 78(18.5%), 95% CI: 14.9, 21.9% whereas the prevalence of Strongyloides
stercoralis was 23(5.5%) with (95% CI: 3.3%-7.8%) and co infestation of both was 6(1.4%) with (95% CI: 0.5%,
2.7%).
The study pointed out that there were other intestinal parasite infestations namely: Entamoeba histolytica, (12.1%),
Giardia lamblia 6.9%, and Ascaris lumbricoides 5.9%. Frequent wearing of shoes practice and availability of toilet
and its usage habit for Strongyloides stercoralis and availability of toilet, regularly wearing of shoes were found to be
associated with both hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis infestation.
Conclusion: The existence of both hookworms and Strongyloides stercoralis infestation was relatively high in the study
area. Hookworm infestation was more prevalent than Strongyloides stercoralis infestation.