Prevalence of opportunistic intestinal coccidian parasites and associated factors in HIV/AIDS patients attending anti‐retroviral therapy (ART) clinic at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross‐sectional study

Background and Aims A growing number of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients suffer from opportunistic intestinal coccidian infections. Instead of human immuno deficiency virus (HIV) infection itself, opportunistic infections like intestinal coccidian parasites cause death of over 80% AIDS patients. Factors like exposed drinking water sources and poverty aid the prevalence of opportunistic intestinal coccidian parasitic infections in HIV/AIDS patients. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal coccidian parasites and associated factors in HIV/AIDS patients. Methods A health facility based cross sectional study was conducted from 140 HIV/AIDS patients attending ART clinic in Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia from September to December 2023. The sociodemographic characteristics were collected through face‐to‐face interviews. Stool samples were processed with Modified Acid Fast staining technique. Statistical Package for Social Sciences software version 20 was used to analyze the data. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with dependent variable and p 500/µL showed significant association with increased prevalence of OICPs in HIV/AIDS patients. Conclusions OICPs are still the common causes of morbidity and mortality in HIV/AIDS patients. Surface water consumption, alcoholism, interruption of treatment drugs, diarrhea, and reduced CD4+ T‐cells significantly contribute to acquisition and prevalence of OICPs in HIV/AIDS patients. Routine screening of OICPs with sensitive diagnostic techniques in HIV/AIDS patients regardless of symptoms is crucial and has to be practiced in health settings.