Concurrent infection of intestinal parasites and Helicobacter pylori among school-age children in Central Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Coinfection of multiple intestinal microbial pathogens plays an important role in individuals harboring these organisms. However, data on magnitude and risk factors are scarce from resource limited settings. OBJECTIVE: We examined the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasites and Helicobacter pylori co-infection among young Ethiopian school children. METHOD: Data from a total of 434 Ethiopian school children from the Ziway region were analyzed in the study. Stool antigen and blood serum antibody tests were used to detect H. pylori, while the presence of any intestinal parasites was detected using direct wet mount microscopy and formol-ether concentration techniques. A structured questionnaire was delivered to mothers and legal guardians of the children by an interviewer to collect data relevant demographic and lifestyle factors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association of these sociodemographic characteristics with the coinfection of H. pylori and intestinal parasites. RESULTS: The prevalence of coinfection with any intestinal parasites and Helicobacter pylori was 23.0% (n = 92/400). Univariate analysis showed an increased risk for co-infection among children whose mothers had non-formal education (COR: 1.917, p < 0.01) and those who had no history of child vaccination (COR: 3.455, p = 0.084). Children aged 10–14 and those who lived in a house that had a flush or ventilated latrine were found at lower odds of coinfection between intestinal parasites and Helicobacter pylori (COR: 0.670, p = 0.382; COR: 0.189, p = 0.108). Multivariate regression analysis showed increased odds of co-infection among children whose mothers had non-formal education (AOR: 1.978, p < 0.01). Maternal education was also associated with a two-fold increase in odds for H. pylori and any protozoa co-infection (AOR: 2.047, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our study shows a moderate prevalence of H. pylori and intestinal parasite co-infection and identified maternal education as a significant risk factor among school children.