Validation and maintaining laboratory developed molecular tests compliant with ISO15189 for diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are the one of the most common health problems in developing countries. Objective: A number of patients die annually due to complications caused by these parasites.Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the rate and type of parasitic infections, determine the factors affecting them in Ilam city and also provide strategies to prevent them.In this descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in one of the Ilam labs in 2016, 417 stool specimens were randomly collected. All specimens were examined using direct and ethanol formaldehyde.Suspect specimens were examined using Trichrom staining. Demographic information was also recorded in a questionnaire, and finally the results were analyzed using statistical software SPSS 20.The data were then compared with Chi-square test. Results: Out of the 417 patients examined, 59 (14.1%) were infected with intestinal parasites. The type of parasitic infection in 9.4% was Blastocystis hominis, 3.6% Entamoeba coli, 0.5% Entamoeba histolytica, 0.5% Giardia and 0.2% Trichomonas hominis. Conclusion: Despite the improvement of public health, parasitic infections are still considered as one of the health problems in the city of Ilam. Therefore, proper planning, public health education, raising the level of health in the area and the provision of safe drinking water are some of the ways to reduce parasitic infections in the region.

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Burden of intestinal parasitic infections among pregnant women in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Infection ◽

10.1007/s15010-021-01635-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Legese Chelkeba ◽

Tsegaye Melaku ◽

Dereje Lemma ◽

Zeleke Mekonnen

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Intestinal Parasitic Infections

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nSex-biased prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and gender inequality in rural Nepal

International Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1016/j.ijid.2021.06.041 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chiara Bertoncello ◽

Irene Amoruso ◽

Ughetta Moscardino ◽

Marco Fonzo ◽

Mahendra Maharjan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gender Inequality ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Intestinal Parasitic Infections ◽

And Gender ◽

Rural Nepal

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Effect of a health education intervention on intestinal parasitic infections in Bolivian children

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.690 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

V Lastrucci ◽

M Spinicci ◽

F Macchioni ◽

S Gabrielli ◽

A L Villagran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Education ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Education Intervention ◽

Intestinal Parasitic Infections ◽

School Year ◽

School Based ◽

Sanitation And Hygiene ◽

Health Education Intervention ◽

Key Events

Abstract Backgrounds Intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) are a major health issue for children of low- and middle-income countries. Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices are crucial for preventing IPI. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a school-based health education intervention on handwashing behavior and IPI prevalence in children Methods This is a randomized intervention trial in 8 primary schools in rural communities over the course of 3 school years; preliminary results from the first two years of the trial are here presented. Schools were randomly selected and assigned in a 1:1 ratio to intervention or control (no intervention) groups. For each school year, the intervention included 14 school-based educational sessions and 2 skit events, involving children aged 8-12 years. Knowledge, attitude and practice questionnaire and handwashing at key events was assessed at the beginning and end of each school year. IPI prevalence was assessed with repeated cross-sectional parasitology surveys 12 months apart, involving a minimum of 50 children for each school Results At baseline, no significant differences between intervention and control schools were present in the proportion of children who washed their hands at key events (7.2% vs 9.3%, p = 0.28), in IPI (79.4% vs 75.3%, p = 0.3) and multiple parasitic infections (MPI) prevalences (47.6 vs. 38.6; p = 0.051). At the end of the second year, the percentage of children who washed their hands at key events was significantly higher in the intervention schools (75.4% vs 12.1%, p < 0.001), and the prevalence of IPI and MPI in the intervention schools were respectively about 25% and 15% lower than in the control schools (respectively, 42.9% vs 67.8%, p < 0.001; 16.1% vs 31.6%, p < 0.001) Conclusions A school-based health education intervention could achieve significant changes in hand-washing behaviors and reduction in the prevalence of IPI in children. The third year survey results are needed to confirm these findings Key messages An health education intervention on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices can reduce the risk of IPI infection in children. An health education intervention on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) practices could be configured as a sustainable long-term approach to intestinal parasitic infections control in children.

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Intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-021-03908-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Zelalem Animaw ◽

Addisu Melese ◽

Habtamu Demelash ◽

Girma Seyoum ◽

Abiy Abebe

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Intestinal Parasites ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Morbidity And Mortality ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Stool Examination ◽

Parasitic Infections ◽

Intestinal Parasitic Infections ◽

Pooled Prevalence

Abstract Background Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are public health problems widely distributed in the world and cause significant morbidity and mortality; many of which occur among women of reproductive age. IPIs caused by helminthes and protozoan parasites are common among pregnant women. Data on the national pooled prevalence of intestinal parasites and associated factors during pregnancy is not documented well in Ethiopia. This review aims at summarizing evidences on the burden of IPIs and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Methods Published and unpublished studies were thoroughly searched at MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Cochrane library and Science Direct. In addition, repositories of Addis Ababa, Gondar and Jimma Universities were searched. Eligible studies were selected following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guideline. The pooled prevalence of intestinal parasites and summary odds ratios (ORs) were determined with 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Sub-groups analyses were done based on study region, types of parasites, methods of stool examination and study setting. The statistical analyses were performed using STATA version 14.0 software. Results Among 168 retrieved studies, 31 studies with a total population of 12,118 pregnant women were included. The estimated pooled prevalence of IPIs among pregnant women in Ethiopia was 27.32 % (95 % CI: 20.61, 33.87 %). In the subgroup analysis, Oromia and Amhara regions had the highest prevalence with a 29.78 % (95 % CI: 15.97, 43.60) and 29.63 % (95 % CI: 15.37, 43.89); respectively. In addition, studies conducted in the community showed higher prevalence than institution based studies (49.93 % Vs 24.84 %; respectively). The most prevalent type of intestinal parasite identified were Hookworm followed by Ascaris lumbricoides with a pooled prevalence of 11.2 and 10.34 %, respectively. In our analysis; residence, being bare footed, lack of hand washing habit and eating uncooked/raw vegetables were significantly associated with IPIs among pregnant women in Ethiopia. Conclusions Prevalence of IPIs during pregnancy is relatively high in Ethiopia. Poor hygienic practices were identified as risk factors. Based on our finding, targeted preventive measures shall be considered so as to prevent morbidity and mortality due to IPIs.

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