Viral hepatitis is a life-threatening liver disease that has become important public health issue in developing countries including Ethiopia. This study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of HBsAgs and anti-HCV antibodies and what socio-demographic factors are associated with sero-positivity of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infections among pregnant women attending maternity ward of Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, northwest, Ethiopia. Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to January 2014. Blood samples were randomly collected from 384 pregnant women. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric and potential risk factors were collected using semi-structured questionnaire. Chromatographic kits were used to detect the presence of HBsAg and antibodies against HCV in serum samples of the studied subjects. Chi-square test was used for assessing the association between socio-demographic variables and HBV and HCV status. Logistic regression analysis was done to determine the strength of association between risk factors and HBV or HCV infection. P-values less than 0.05 were considered as significant. Seroprevalnce of hepatitis B and C virus infections were found to be 4.4 and 0.26 %, respectively. None of the pregnant women were co-infected by these two viruses. Amongst the potential risk factors, previous history of dental procedure (AOR = 4.104, CI = 1.276–13.201, P = 0.018), house hold contact (AOR = 5.475, CI = 1.472–20.368, P = 0.011), multiple sexual exposure (AOR = 5.041, CI = 1.580–16.076, P = 0.006), and delivery at traditional birth attendants (AOR = 4.100, CI = 0.195-86.129, P = 0.024) were significantly associated with and important predictors of hepatitis B infection. This study found an intermediate endemicity (4.4 %) of HBV infection in pregnant women whereas seroprevalence of anti-HCV antibody was very small, but this needs to be confirmed by other similar studies with larger sample size. Thus, scaling up of the screening of pregnant women for HBV and HCV infections and provision of health education about the risk factors, the mode of transmissions and prevention is recommended.

A cross-sectional study involving 408 schoolchildren was performed from November 2013 to February 2014 to assess the prevalence of intestinal helminthic infections and malnutrition among schoolchildren of the Zegie Peninsula, northwestern Ethiopia. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data on the demographic and risk factors associated with intestinal helminthic infections. Stool samples were collected and examined for helminth eggs using the formalin-ether concentration technique. In addition, anthropometric measurements were performed to assess the nutritional status of the schoolchildren. The overall prevalence of intestinal helminthic infections in the study area was 69.1%. Single, double, triple, and quadruple infections were 42.2%, 18.4%, 5.9%, and 0.7%, respectively. The prevalence of hookworm, Schistosoma mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Hymenolepis nana, and Strongyloides stercoralis infections were 43.4%, 29.9%, 12.7%, 10%, 4.6%, and 0.7%, respectively. The prevalence of malnutrition in terms of stunting, being underweight, and wasting were 15.3%, 18%, and 27.6%, respectively. However, no significant association was found between intestinal helminthic infections and stunting, being underweight and wasting (p>0.05). It can be concluded that intestinal helminthic infections, specifically infections due to hookworm and S. mansoni, are important health problems among schoolchildren of the Zegie Peninsula.

Background. Malaria is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in tropical and subtropical regions. The bulk of the global malaria burden is in sub-Saharan African countries, including Ethiopia. Malaria adversely affects the health of the peoples as well as the economic development of many developing countries including Ethiopia. Methods. This review article was reported according to PRISMA guidelines. Related published articles were searched from online public databases, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. The search approach used to retrieve related articles were prevalence, malaria, adults, and Ethiopia. The quality of articles was assessed using Joana Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. The meta-analysis was computed using STATA version 14. The pooled prevalence estimates with 95 confidence interval were analyzed using a random-effect model, and the possible source of heterogeneity across studies was indicated through subgroup analysis, inverse of variance (I²), and time series analysis. The presence of publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Eggers regression test. Results. Out of 144 studies collected, only eight full-text articles were screened and included in the final quantitative meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of malaria among adults in Ethiopia was 13.61. Subgroup analysis based on types of malaria cases showed that the prevalence of malaria among symptomatic and asymptomatic adults was 15.34 and 11.99, respectively. Similarly, regional subgroup analysis showed that the highest malaria prevalence was recorded in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region (SNNPR) (16.17) followed by Oromia Regional State (13.11) and Amhara Regional State (12.41). Discussion and Conclusion. The current systematic review and meta-analysis showed that the pooled prevalence of malaria among adults was found to be greater than the general population and nearly equal to pregnant women. Therefore, the current prevention and control measures, which are related to both vectors and parasites, should be strengthened.

Parasitic infections affect tens of millions of pregnant women worldwide, and directly or indirectly lead to a spectrum of adverse maternal and fetal/placental effects. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections and associated risk factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care center in Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar city, northwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional hospital based study was conducted from November 2013 to January 2014 among 384 pregnant women. Stool samples were examined for the presence of trophozoites, cysts, oocysts, and ova using direct, formal-ether sedimentation, and modified Ziehl-Neelsen techniques. An overall prevalence of 31.5 % intestinal parasite infections was recorded. Eight different species of intestinal parasites were found: two protozoan and six helminth species. The highest prevalence was due to Giardia lamblia (13.3 %) followed by Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (7.8 %), hookworm (5.5 %), Ascaris lumbricoides (2.9 %), Schistosoma mansoni (2.9 %), Strongyloides stercoralis (1.6 %), Taenia spp. (0.8 %), and Hymenolepis nana (0.3 %). A relatively high prevalence of intestinal parasite infections was observed among pregnant women. Routine stool examination and provision of health education are required for early medical intervention that would affect the pregnant mothers and their foetuses.

To determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes and associated risk factors among schoolchildren in Tilili town, northwest Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study involving 385 schoolchildren was conducted between November 2011 to February 2012. Each student was selected using systematic random sampling method. Questionnaire and observation were used to identify socio-demographic and associated risk factors. Fresh stool samples were observed using formal-ether concentration technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS 16.0 statistical software. Four species of intestinal helminthes were identified with an overall prevalence of 44.2% (170 of 385 schoolchildren). The predominant parasites were Ascaris lumbricoides (A. lumbricoides) 153 (39.7%) and Trichuris trichiura (T. trichiura) 30 (7.8%). One hundred thirty five (35.1%) had single infections and 35 (9.2%) were infected with more than one helminthic parasites in which 32 (8.4%) were double infections and 3 (0.8%) were triple infections. Significant associations were observed between intestinal helminth infection and those of age, grade level, and school variables. Prevalence of hookworm infection was significant in children who did not wear shoes regularly (P<0.05). Intervention programs and education on personal and environmental hygiene should be implemented for the prevention and control of helminthic infections in the study area.

HIV infection continues to pose a serious challenge to global health by predisposing patients to opportunistic infections. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2012 to February 2013 to assess the enteric protozoan infection status among individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Felegehiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, northwest Ethiopia. Stool specimens from 399 HIV-positive individuals were examined for the presence of trophozoites, cysts, and oocysts using direct wet mount, formol-ether sedimentation and modified Ziehl-Neelsen techniques. In addition, CD4+ T-cell counts were measured to evaluate the immune status of the study subjects. An overall prevalence of 30.6% enteric protozoan infections was recorded. Pre-ART (antiretroviral treatment) individuals were more infected than patients on ART, although this was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The highest prevalence of enteric protozoan infection was due to Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar (19.3%), followed by Cryptosporidium spp (5.8%), Giardia lamblia (4.3%), and Isospora belli (1.3%). A CD4+ T-cell count of <200 cells/μl and status of being diarrhoeic were significantly associated with the overall prevalence of enteric protozoan infection. A relatively high prevalence of enteric protozoan infection was observed among individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Routine stool and CD4+ T-cell examinations should be conducted to monitor the status of HIV/AIDS patients.