ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To measure the prevalence of Giardia lamblia infection and the associated risk factors among patients attending Kochore town health center, Ethiopia. METHODS: Stool samples were collected and assessed by direct microscopy, and antigen detection was performed using the ELISA technique. Data were analyzed using the Chi-Square test and a P-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Ninety-eight out of 422 (23.22%) stool samples were positive by microscopy. Using the ELISA technique in stool samples, 160 of 422 (37.91%) samples were positive. Risk factors such as health center level, occupation, monthly income, educational status, toilet availability at home, water source, drinking water treatment, container type, waste disposal system, and eating unwashed fruits and vegetables were significantly associated with G. lamblia infection. CONCLUSION: Implementation of health education campaigns and emphasis on the importance of environmental sanitation and personal hygiene will help reduce the health burden.
