Prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated factors among patients with HIV/AIDS at the anti-retroviral treatment clinic of Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia

BackgroundIntestinal parasitic infections remain very common, particularly in areas with a high prevalence of immune-compromised patients, such as HIV/AIDS patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated factors in people living with HIV/AIDS at an ART clinic in Mizan-Tepi University Teaching Hospital, southwest Ethiopia.MethodA cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to September 2021. A total of 191 adult people living with HIV/AIDS participated in this study. Data on socio-demographic, clinical, and other risk factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Stool samples were collected and processed using a direct wet mount, formol-ether concentration, and modified Ziehl-Nelson staining techniques. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 25 software.ResultsAmong 67 adult individuals living with HIV/AIDS, the prevalence of intestinal parasites was 35.1%. Specifically, 31.5% (45/143) of patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 45.8% (22/48) of ART-naïve patients were infected. The distribution of intestinal parasites was as follows: protozoa were found in 14.7% of ART-treated patients and 22.9% of ART-naïve patients; helminths in 15.4% of ART-treated patients and 16.7% of ART-naïve patients; and opportunistic parasites in 1.4% of ART-treated patients and 6.25% of ART-naïve patients. Significant associations with a higher prevalence of intestinal parasites were observed for a CD4 count