Association between intestinal helminth infections and mid-upper-arm circumference among children in Sri Lanka: A cross-sectional study

2017 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 291-297
Author(s):  
L.S. Galgamuwa ◽  
D. Iddawela ◽  
S.D. Dharmaratne

AbstractIntestinal helminth infections constitute a major health problem in low socio-economic communities worldwide. A cross-sectional study was conducted in children aged between 12 and 60 months. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data and stool samples were subjected to direct smear, stained with Lugol's iodine, and formaldehyde–ether concentration techniques to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections. The circumference of each child's left mid upper arm (MUAC) was measured using standard procedures. Two hundred and six children with a mean MUAC of 14.7 cm (SD ± 1.1) were assessed from September to December 2014. The prevalence of acute energy undernutrition was 6.3% (13/206). All of them had moderate acute undernutrition and no cases of severe acute undernutrition. Paternal occupation was significantly associated with MUAC. Intestinal helminth infections were detected in 12.6% of children. Four species of parasites were identified; Ascaris lumbricoides (9.7%) followed by Enterobius vermicularis (1.5%), Trichuris trichiura (1.0%) and hookworms (1.0%). Uninfected children aged between 1 and 2 years showed significantly higher MUAC than infected children. No statistically significant association was detected between the severity of intestinal helminth infections and MUAC. Although intestinal helminth infections are a major public health problem in this community, they are not related to MUAC. Future research, providing more insight into the nutritional impact of intestinal helminth infections, is required to determine the association between parasitic infections and physical growth in this community.

Author(s):  
Judith Lum Ndamukong-Nyanga ◽  
Dioh Njanakea Owah ◽  
Nyanga Bernard Yunga ◽  
Desdemona Njabi Nji ◽  
Changsen Jacqueline

Intestinal helminthes infections are among the most prevalent of chronic human infections worldwide. These infections are common among people who work under very poor conditions most of the time without protective hand gloves, shoes and uniforms in the field. A cross-sectional study was done to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminthes among Cameroon Development Cooperation (CDC) workers and their compliance to anti-helminthic treatement form November 2017 to April 2018. It involved 102 workers aged18-45 years attending CDC cottage Hospital in Tiko. A cross-sectional study was done in which demographic data and data related to predisposing factors and preventive measures was collected using a simplified questionnaire, stool samples were collected pre and post treatement. Macroscopic and microscopic examination of stool samples was carried out in the hospital laboratory. Out of 102 people, a total of 81 (79.4%) people were infected with one or more species of intestitinal helminthes and there was significant difference in the infection with respect to various helminthes species (0.004). Among the 81 infected cases, 58(71.6%) were infected with single helminth species and 23 (28.4%) were infected with more than one species (coinfection). Intestinal helminths varied significantly among the participants with prevalences of 24.5% for T. trichuris, 6,9% for Hookworm, 0.9% for S. japanicum, 24.5% for S. haematobium, 34.3% for A. lumbricoides and 7.8% for S.  mansoni (P<0.004). Out of the 40 participants who took the drug (albendazole), 32 (80%) came for retesting and disappointedly, 8 (20.00%) of the treated participants did not come.  A majority of the 32 people retested were negative (28, 87.5%) for all species of intestinal helminth parasites, 4 (12.5%) still tested positive for the parasite presence in their stool among which 2 had schistosoma haematobium, one had schistosoma mansoni and one had Ascaris lumbricoides. Workers were recommended to wear protective hand gloves, and proper working shoes in line with their work description.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samar Al-Hajj ◽  
Rawan El Haj ◽  
Monique Chaaya ◽  
Rana Sharara- Chami ◽  
Amber Mehmood

Abstract Background: Childhood injury is a neglected public health problem. This study aims to describe the patterns of childhood injury and to determine mothers' Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) towards childhood injury prevention in Lebanon. Methods This cross-sectional study recruited working and non-working mothers of children aged 0-10 years from multiple sites (i.e. medical center, private clinic, healthcare facility, refugee camp) to cover all socioeconomic backgrounds. A self-administrated questionnaire collected data on mothers' KAP toward childhood injuries. We analyzed the data and performed a summation score calculation for KAP correct answers. Results A total of 264 mothers were surveyed and injury data were collected on their 464 children. The prevalence of childhood injury was 20% in the past 12 months, mostly sustained by males (53.8%) aged 5-10 years (38.7%). The most common injury type was fall (48.4%), followed by burns (7.5%) and sports injuries (7.5%). Hospitalized injured children were more likely to be males and older than 5 years. More than one-third of the mothers demonstrated poor knowledge, while the majority showed poor practice (54.4%) and a fair attitude (45.6%) towards child injury prevention. Children of working mothers have 3 times higher odds of sustaining injuries (OR:2.95, 95% CI: 1.60;5.47) compared to those of non-working mothers. Conclusion Childhood injury is a major health problem that overburdens the young population, yet mothers lack preventive knowledge and adequate preparedness. Educational programs are recommended for mothers and caregivers. Further studies are needed to understand the cultural context and identify effective strategies for preventing childhood injuries.


2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1314-1318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Tomlinson ◽  
Vera Adams ◽  
Mickey Chopra ◽  
Pieter Jooste ◽  
Emmerentia Strydom ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo obtain baseline pre-intervention prevalence levels of iodine deficiency and parasitic and helminth infections in school-going children in Bie Province, Angola.DesignA cross-sectional study conducted in randomly selected schools. The target population was children aged 6–10 years.SettingBie Province, Angola.SubjectsA total of 1029 children sampled, with 791 stool samples and 826 urine samples collected from twenty-four schools.ResultsWidespread severe and moderate deficiencies in iodine. Children in five schools were severely iodine deficient. All sampled schoolchildren were iodine deficient to a greater or lesser extent. In all, 80 % of all children across the twenty-four schools were infected with one or a combination of intestinal helminths and intestinal protozoa.ConclusionsThese findings have serious implications for the cognitive development of Angolan children, as well as for Angola’s development in terms of productivity and economic potential. It is strongly recommended that the provincial and national Ministries of Health, in collaboration with international health agencies, immediately plan and implement a strategy to provide sufficient iodine through iodised oil capsules and iodised salt to the iodine-deficient population. National coalitions need to be strengthened among the government, partners and salt producers. It is also recommended that all the children in schools be de-wormed for multiple helminth species at least twice a year.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ermias Alemayehu ◽  
Alemu Gedefie ◽  
Aderaw Adamu ◽  
Jemal Mohammed ◽  
Brhanu Kassanew ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Parasitic infections are known causes of morbidity among HIV infected patients with low CD4+ counts who are on antiretroviral therapy; mainly as a result of immune suppression. Thus, this study aimed to assess the extent of intestinal parasitic infection and its related risk factors among HIV infected patients attending ART clinic of Debretabor General Hospital, Northern Ethiopia.Patients and methods: A health facility based cross sectional study was conducted on a total of 383 HIV infected patients attending ART clinic of Debretabor General Hospital, Northern Ethiopia from December 2018 to March 2019. An interview based structured questionnaire were used to gather socio-demographic and risk factor data. About 5 grams of fresh stool specimen and 4 ml of venous blood sample were collected, then transported and tested in accordance with the laboratory standard operating procedures. The obtained data was entered into SPSS version 22.0; and analyzed. P-value <0.05 with 95% confidence interval was considered statistically significant.Result: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 25.3%; with 18% and 23.8% by direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration technique respectively. 8 (2.1%) patients were infected by multiple parasites in concentration technique. Ascaris lumbricoides, 23(25.3%) was the most frequently identified parasite. Parasitic infection was significantly higher among illiterates (P=0.011); patients with a CD4 count of <200 cells/mm3 (P<0.001) and among patients who did not have latrine (P=0.049) than their counter parts.Conclusion: Relatively higher prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was found among HIV/AIDS patients. The distribution of intestinal parasites is greatly affected by illiteracy, reduced CD4+ counts and absence of toilet. Thus, HIV/AIDS patients with low CD4+ counts should be diagnosed consistently for intestinal parasites and routine stool examination and awareness creation should be advocated to be included as an essential component of the ART monitoring strategy for improved patient care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (07) ◽  
pp. 912-925
Author(s):  
Sebean Mayimbo ◽  
Clara Maphosa Haruzivishe ◽  
Concepta Kwaleyela ◽  
Bwembya Phoebe ◽  
Ellen Chirwa ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol Volume 13 ◽  
pp. 27-34
Author(s):  
Brhane Berhe ◽  
Fitsum Mardu ◽  
Kebede Tesfay ◽  
Haftom Legese ◽  
Gebre Adhanom ◽  
...  

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