Pre-disposing Factors Contributing to the Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among HIV/AIDS Patients in Bungoma County, Kenya

  • F. W. Wanyama University of Eldoret, P.O Box 1125-30100, Eldoret, Kenya.
  • A. W. Mwongula University of Eldoret, P.O Box 1125-30100 Eldoret, Kenya.
Keywords: HIV, AIDS, Prevalence, Intestinal parasites, IPI

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections are parasites that populate the gastro -intestinal tract of humans adding stress to both arms of the immune system already weakened by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), worsening morbidity in the infected person. This study was conducted with an aim of d etermining some of the pre-disposing factors to the Prevalence of Intestinal parasitic infections among the HIV/AIDS patients in Bungoma County. A cross-sectional study of 240 HIV positive and 60 HIV negative individuals was done. Stool samples were observed for intestinal parasites. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 17.0. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics (frequencies, Means and standard deviation). Differences in proportion of prevalence were analyzed using Pearson Chi -square test while factors causing observed differences in the prevalence were analyzed using multiple Logistic regression to identify significant factors responsible for observed prevalence. Results were considered significant at p<0.05 α-level. Significantly higher (χ 2 = 23.764, df = 1, P = 0.002) prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was recorded among the HIV/AIDS patients (33.4%) compared to (19.3%) in HIV -ve patients. Protozoan and helminthic parasites were the parasites found where the prevalence of intestinal protozoans was higher than that of helminthes. Age, levels of education, income levels, smoking and drinking habits as well as dietary habits contributed significantly to increased prevalence of Intestinal parasitic infection (IPI) among the HIV/AIDS patients. The magnitude of parasitic infection was high in both HIV/AIDS and HIV -ve. It is recommended that routine examination of stool samples for parasites would significantly benefit HIV infected and uninfected individuals by contributing to reduce morbidity.

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Published
2018-08-27
How to Cite
Wanyama, F. W., & Mwongula, A. W. (2018, August 27). Pre-disposing Factors Contributing to the Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among HIV/AIDS Patients in Bungoma County, Kenya. African Journal of Education,Science and Technology, 1(2), pp 173-176. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2022/ajest.v1i2.178
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Articles