Prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitic infections among HIV clients attending Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda

INTRODUCTION: infection with Human Immune deficiency Virus (HIV) increases the risk of opportunistic infections, which aggravates life-long complications. We report the prevalence and the associated factors of intestinal parasites among HIV infected clients attending anti-retroviral therapy (ART) clinic at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, in Uganda. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional study that purposefully enrolled 410 HIV infected clients. Stool samples were macroscopically assessed, and analyzed using wet preparations, Formol ether concentration and Modified Ziehl Neelsen (ZN) techniques to identify cysts and ova of intestinal parasites. Further, a questionnaire was used to obtain data on socio-demographic, hygiene and immunologic markers. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associated factors of intestinal parasitic infection. RESULTS: of the 410 adult HIV sero-positive clients enrolled, 58.0% (238/410) were females. Participants mean age was 26.8 years, (range of 18-59 years). The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 49/410 (11.95%; 95% confidence interval: 10.3 - 14.7). Intestinal parasites isolated were Giardia lamblia (N=10, 20.4%), strongloides stercolaris (N=4, 8.2%), and modified ZN showed Cryptosporidium species (N=35, 71.4%). Hand washing, history of not deworming in the previous 1 year, deteriorating HIV clinical stage and unprotected open water sources were the associated factors. CONCLUSION: this study reports a high prevalence of opportunistic intestinal parasites. As these are neglected tropical infections, early detection and exploration of the associated factors is key to their proper management.