In view of the reported role of parasitic infections in causing morbidity among HIV-infected patients with low CD4+ counts who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), mainly because of immuno suppression, researchers sought to determine the extent of intestinal parasitic infection and related risk factors among HIV-infected patients attending ART clinic at Debretabor General Hospital, Northern Ethiopia. Among 383 HIV-infected patients attending the ART clinic, intestinal parasites had an overall prevalence of 25.3%, with 18% and 23.8% by direct wet-mount and formol ether–concentration technique, respectively. HIV/AIDS patients thus exhibit relatively higher prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection. Illiteracy, reduced CD4+ counts, and absence of a toilet were identified to have great influence on the distribution of intestinal parasites. Hence, they emphasize consistently diagnosing HIV/AIDS patients with low CD4+ counts for intestinal parasites with routine stool examinations, and advocate inclusion of awareness creation as an essential component of ART-monitoring strategies for improved patient care.

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