scholarly journals Assessment of Prevalence and Risk Factors for Intestinal Parasitosis, Malnutrition, and Anemia among School Children in Ghindae Area, Eritrea

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Yafet Kesete ◽  
Huruy Tesfahiwet ◽  
Ghimja Fessehaye ◽  
Yohana Kidane ◽  
Yafet Tekle ◽  
...  

Background. Research studies on determination of risk factors for intestinal parasitic infections and related malnutrition and anemia in various tropical areas are necessary for appropriate preventive resource allocation and cost effective control. This study is aimed at evaluating the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitosis, malnutrition, and anemia amongst elementary and junior school students in Ghindae area, Eritrea. Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 6 schools around Ghindae from February to April 2018. 460 children were selected randomly for analysis and consent was taken from guardians. The pertinent sociodemographic data was collected using a pretested questionnaire, and anthropometric measurements were carried out to determine the proportion of students with malnutrition, stunting, and thinness. Fecal samples were examined by formal-ether concentration technique, and blood specimen was collected and analyzed for the assessment of hemoglobin using Hemocue analyzers. The association between predictors and outcome variables were measured with a stepwise logistic regression model. Result. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was 45.3%. Protozoan infections (38.2%) were more prevalent than soil-transmitted helminthic infections (10.4%). The presence of different intestinal parasitic infections had statistically significant association with the residence area, hand washing habits, source of drinking water, and type of latrine used. The prevalence of malnutrition was 36.9% with 18.5% stunting and 21.2% thinness. Students of rural areas had 2.03 times more odds of having malnutrition. The current prevalence of anemia was 12.4%, out of which 7.6% had mild anemia while 4.4% of them had moderate anemia and 0.4% were severely anemic. Conclusion. The prevalence of parasitic infection among school-age children in Ghindae area was high. Unsafe drinking water sources from streams and springs were among the core problems for increased prevalence along with decreased awareness on personal hygienic and sanitation practices. Undernutrition was widely prevalent among students in Ghindae area. Height for age and BMI for age scores of all participants were found to be below the WHO growth standards. Malnutrition was in higher prevalence in rural areas outside Ghindae, which is attributed to two times higher odds than their counterparts. The magnitude of anemia found in this study is considered a mild public health problem.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (01) ◽  
pp. 26-35
Author(s):  
Dhiren Subba Limbu ◽  
Samana Shrestha ◽  
Kamana Bantawa ◽  
Ramesh Majhi ◽  
Milan Kharel

 Intestinal parasitic infections have been a major public health burden of developing countries, especially in children. Higher prevalence has been reported among school children, mostly in rural areas of Nepal where water, toilets, hygiene, and sanitation facilities are insufficient. This cross-sectional study was carried out from April to September 2019 to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among school-going children1-5 years of Dharan, Nepal, and to assess the associated risk factors. Stool samples were collected in a clean, dry, screw-capped, and wide-mouthed plastic container, kept in an icebox, and transported to the laboratory. Data relating to different risk factors were collected from the parents of 116 participants using a structured questionnaire. The parasites were identified by using the direct wet mount method and formal-ether concentration method. Pearson’s chi-square test was carried out to establish associations between dependent and independent variables using SPSS version 20, and the test considered a greater than < 0.05% as statistically significant with a 95% confidence level. Out of the 116 stool samples, 9 (7.75%) tested positive for the parasitic infections in which 5 (55.5%) were protozoa and 4 (44.45%) were helminths. The prevalent parasites, were Entamoeba histolytica (23%), Hyamenolepis nana (22%), Giardia lamblia (11%), Hookworm (11%), Entamoeba coli (11%), Ascaris lumbricoides (11%), and Intestinal parasitic infections had a significant association with drinking water, bowel syndrome, bathing habit, toilet facility, and washing hands after toilets (p<0.05). Lack of toilets, poor hygiene, and unsafe drinking water were the main risk factors. Improved hygienic practices, safe drinking water, and the use of latrines could lower the rate of parasitic infections.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Javad Abbaszadeh Afshar ◽  
Maryam Barkhori Mehni ◽  
Mostafa Rezaeian ◽  
Mehdi Mohebali ◽  
Vali Baigi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Determination of the prevalence and distribution pattern of intestinal parasites is a fundamental step to set up an effective control program to improve the health status. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated risk factors among inhabitants of Rudbar-e Jonub county, southeast of Kerman province, southeastern Iran.Methods In this cross-sectional study, 861 stool specimens were collected from inhabitants of Rudbar-e Jonub county through a multistage cluster sampling method in 2018. The collected specimens were examined by parasitological methods including, direct wet-mounting (for the fresh specimens with a watery consistency), formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation and agar plate culture.Results The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 34.2% (95% CI 30.1 to 38.2). The prevalence of protozoan parasites 32.3% (95% CI 28.4 to 36.5) was significantly higher than helminthic parasites 3.2% (95% CI 2.1 to 4.7). Blastocystis sp. , Entamoeba coli and Giardia lamblia as protozoan parasite and Hymenolepis nana as helminthic parasite were the most common detected intestinal parasites in the study. Entamoeba histolytica/dispar , Iodamoeba bütschlii , Chilomastix mesnili , Entamoeba hartmanni , Ascaris lambercoides , and Enterobius vermicularis were other detected parasites. Multiple logistic regression revealed a significant association of intestinal parasitic infections with source of drinking water and residency status (rural/urban). Multiple infections with 2 or 3 parasitic agents constituted 22.7% of 295 infected cases.Conclusions This study revealed a high prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among inhabitants of Rudbar-e Jonub county. Intestinal parasites especially protozoans remain a challenging public health problem wherever sanitation and health measures are limited in Iran.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yafet Kesete ◽  
Huruy Tesfahiwet ◽  
Ghimja Fessehaye ◽  
Yohana Kidane ◽  
Yafet Tekle ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundIntestinal parasitic infections, anemia, and malnutrition are very endemic in resource-limited regions. School-aged children are at greater risk for the disease than any other age group as they are more susceptible to parasitosis, associated undergrowth and anemia. This study is aimed at evaluating the risk factors of intestinal parasitosis, malnutrition and anemia amongst elementary and junior school students in Ghindae area, Eritrea.MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted in 6 schools around Ghindae from February to April 2018. 450 children were randomly selected for analysis and consent was taken from guardians. The pertinent sociodemographic data was collected and anthropometric measurements were carried out to determine the proportion of students with malnutrition, stunting and thinness. Fecal samples were examined by formal concentration technique and blood specimen was collected for the assessment of hemoglobin using hemocue analyzer.ResultsThe overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was 45.3%. Protozoa infections (38.2%) were more prevalent than soil-transmitted helminthes infections (10.4%). The presence of different intestinal parasitic infections has statistically significant association with the residence area, washing habits, source of water, types of schools and type of latrine used with (p < 0.05). The prevalence of malnutrition was 37.1% with 18.5% stunting and 21.2% thinness. Malnutrition was in higher prevalence in semi-urban areas outside Ghindae. Students from Embatkala and Dongolo had 4.77 and 2.86 times higher odds of having low BMI for age than their counterpart respectively. The current prevalence of anemia was 12.4%, out of which, 7.6 % had mild while 4.4% of them had moderate anemia and 0.4% were severely anemic.ConclusionThe prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections, especially, protozoan infection was very high in the school children. Stunting was increased rate in rural areas around Ghindae. The prevalence of anemia was regarded as mild health burden. The high prevalence of parasitic infections in these children indicates that the protozoa and helminthes concerned are very common in the environment of these area and results of the risk factors analysis suggest that the transmission is from several routes. Access to clean water and latrines, with some hygiene and sanitation communication activities, in addition to introduction of micronutrient programs could improve health of children in that area.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Javad Abbaszadeh Afshar ◽  
Maryam Barkhori Mehni ◽  
Mostafa Rezaeian ◽  
Mehdi Mohebali ◽  
Vali Baigi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Determination of the prevalence and distribution pattern of intestinal parasites is a fundamental step to set up an effective control program to improve the health status. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated risk factors among inhabitants of Rudbar-e Jonub county, southeast of Kerman province, southeastern Iran. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 861 stool specimens were collected from inhabitants of Rudbar-e Jonub county through a multistage cluster sampling method in 2018. The collected specimens were examined by parasitological methods including, direct wet-mounting (for the fresh specimens with a watery consistency), formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation and agar plate culture. Results The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 34.2% (95% CI 30.1 to 38.2). The prevalence of protozoan parasites 32.3% (95% CI 28.4 to 36.5) was significantly higher than helminthic parasites 3.2% (95% CI 2.1 to 4.7). Blastocystis sp. (13.3%), Entamoeba coli (11.4%) and Giardia lamblia (10.6%) as protozoan parasite and Hymenolepis nana (2.4%) as helminthic parasite were the most common detected intestinal parasites in the study. Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (1.5%), Iodamoeba bütschlii (1.0%), Chilomastix mesnili (0.5%), Entamoeba hartmanni (0.4%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.3%) and Ascaris lambercoides (0.3%) were other detected parasites. Multiple logistic regression revealed a significant association of intestinal parasitic infections with source of drinking water and residency status (rural/urban). Multiple infections with 2 or 3 parasitic agents constituted 22.7% of 295 infected cases. Conclusions This study revealed a high prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among inhabitants of Rudbar-e Jonub county. Intestinal parasites especially protozoans remain a challenging public health problem wherever sanitation and health measures are limited in Iran.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Bijay Kumar Shrestha ◽  
Manita Tumbahangphe ◽  
Jenish Shakya ◽  
Anu Rai ◽  
Kabita Dhakal ◽  
...  

Introduction. Intestinal parasitic infections are most common and prevalent among children and accounts for great morbidity and mortality. Objective. This research is aimed at studying the prevalence and related risk factors of parasitic infections among private school-going pupils of Dharan Submetropolitan City. Methods and Materials. This was a cross-sectional laboratory-based study conducted from 13 November 2018 to 26 February 2019 among 400 private school pupils. The stool samples were collected and microscopically examined for parasites using the formalin ethyl acetate sedimentation technique. Data Analysis. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS version 16.0. Pearson’s Chi-square test was used to establish association between dependent and independent variables. The association was also determined using crude and adjusted odds ratio, and the test considered a P value < 0.05 as statistically significant with 95% confidence interval. Result. In this study, 46 (11.5%) children were positive for intestinal parasites. In this study, 3 protozoans (Entamoeba histolytica = 3 (0.75%)) and 43 helminths (Ascaris lumbricoides = 22 (5.5%); Enterobiusvermicularis = 6 (1.5%); Ancylostoma duodenale = 2 (0.5%); and Trichuris trichiura = 13 (3.25%)) were isolated and identified. Statistically, significant difference in the parasitic prevalence with respect to age and gender was not seen ( P > 0.05 ). However, the prevalence of parasitic infection was strongly associated with the ethnicity of the pupils ( P = 0.001 ). The strong associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections were nail-biting habit, source of drinking water, biannual deworming, thumb-sucking, hand sanitation before having food and after toilet, knowledge of parents on parasitosis, health and sanitation, keeping cat/dog as pet, and wearing protective shoes during play ( P = 0.001 ). Bowel syndromes like abdominal cramp and constipation also had a strong statistical association ( P = 0.001 ) with the prevalence of parasitic infection. According to binary and multivariate logistic regression analyses, the parents without awareness, pupils with a nail-biting habit, pupils not wearing shoes during play, lack of deworming, drinking direct tap water, and pupils with poor hand sanitation were more likely to be infested with intestinal parasitic infections. Conclusion. This study concludes that intestinal parasites are still prevalent among private school-going pupils of Dharan Submetropolitan City. The poor sanitation and sanitary habits like biting nails, consumption of untreated drinking water, and failure to practice proper hand washing were studied as contributors to the acquisition of intestinal parasitic infections. Therefore, integration of control measures such as provision of clean and safe drinking water, improved sanitation and hygiene, with biannual administration of drugs are necessary for effective eradication of parasitic infections.


Author(s):  
Arcelia González-García ◽  
Claudia Hernández-Salas ◽  
Rosa Maria Martínez-Ortiz ◽  
Lilia González-Martínez

Introduction: Nowadays in our state, intestinal parasitic diseases are still endemic, with a greater frequency in rural and mountainous urban areas. After the years have elapsed since the last national survey, it was necessary to carry out a new survey to know the prevalence rates of intestinal parasitosis and to compare the results obtained between both studies. Such knowledge would be of great value in developing health strategies and designing intestinal parasitic infection control programs. Objective: to determine the current prevalence rates of intestinal parasites, to compare the results with those of the survey obtained. Methods: a random cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out during the months of December 2018 to March 2019 in a random sample of both sexes from the population of urban communities and the province of Zacatecas, Zac. Each one had a stool sample collected that was analyzed by the direct examination method, the Willis concentration technique, and the Kato-Katz examination; A questionnaire was also applied to them. Results: when comparing the results of the national and state surveys of intestinal parasitic infections carried out in 2009 and 2018, it was found that, in general, infections by parasites decreased, both helminths and pathogenic protozoa, although those infected with commensals increased their frequency in that of 2019. There was also a decrease in the frequency of infections by all species of soil-transmitted helminths, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, ancylostomideos, and Strongyloides stercoralis, as well as by the pathogenic protozoa Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolitica. Conclusions: when comparing the results of national and state surveys of intestinal parasite infections carried out in 2018 and 2019, it was found that in general the frequencies of infections with intestinal parasites decreased. The finding in both studies of a higher frequency of infection with parasites or commensals in the group aged 5 to 14 years (school age), supports the recommendation to place emphasis on control programs for intestinal parasites in this age group.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0247075
Author(s):  
Tahir Eyayu ◽  
Teklehaimanot Kiros ◽  
Lemma Workineh ◽  
Meslo Sema ◽  
Shewaneh Damtie ◽  
...  

Background Intestinal Parasitic Infections are the most prevalent diseases in the world, predominantly in developing countries. It is estimated that more than two billion people are affected globally, mostly in tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world. Ethiopia is one of the countries in Africa with a high prevalence of intestinal parasites. However, there is a limited study conducted in the study area. Hence, this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitosis among patients attending at Sanja Primary Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Sanja Primary Hospital from January 1 to August 20, 2019. Stool samples were collected from 1240 study participants and analyzed by direct wet mount and formal ether concentration techniques. Furthermore, sociodemographic and explanatory variables were collected using a face-to-face interview. Data were entered into Epi data version 4.4.2.1 and transferred to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression models were fitted to identify associated factors of intestinal parasitic infections. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was considered to ascertain the significance of the association. Results The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was 52.9% (95% CI: 50.2%-55.5%). Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (21.5%) was the leading cause of intestinal parasitosis followed by Hookworm species (13.3%). Furthermore, the rate of double and triple parasitic infections was observed in 6.1% and 0.5% of study participants respectively. Being Illiterate (AOR: 2.87, 95% CI: 1.06–7.47, p = 0.038), swimming habits of more than 4 times a month (AOR = 2.91, 95% CI 1.62–5.24, p< 0.001) and not washing hands before a meal (AOR: 3.92, 95% CI: 1.74–8.83, p = 0.001) were the key factors significantly associated with intestinal parasitic infection. Conclusions The present study showed that the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis is high in the study area. Therefore, there is a need for an integrated control program, including improving personal, environmental sanitation and health education should be given to have a lasting impact on transmission.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asfaw Negero ◽  
Tomas Benti ◽  
Solomon Taye

Abstract Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are the most common infections in the developing world. Globally, out of the 1.5 billion annual cases of diarrhea, about 70% or 1.05 billion cases are thought to be caused by biological contamination of food. In Ethiopia, due to poor environmental sanitation, low awareness about personal hygiene, lack of pure potable water, and improper faecal disposal, intestinal parasitic infections are highly prevalent. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitosis among food handlers working in food and drinking establishments in Ginnir town, southeast, Ethiopia.Methods: Cross-sectional study design was employed from May 1 to May 29, 2014 in food and drinking establishments in Ginnir town. A total of 348 food handlers were enrolled and stool specimens were collected, and examined using direct saline and formol-ether concentration methods. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. A P-value <0.05 was considered as an indicator of statistical significance.Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis among food handlers was 48/348 (13.8%) [95%, CI=6.8-20.6]. Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 23/348 (6.6%) followed by Giardia lamblia 16/348 (4.6%), Ascaris lumbricoides 7/348 (2.0%) and Strongyloides stercolaris 2/348 (0.6%) were the detected parasites. Moreover, amongst positives for intestinal parasites, comparable proportions of parasites were detected in males (52%) and females (48%). Habit of eating raw/under cooked vegetables (p=0.00; aOR=2.60; 95%, CI=1.94-8.67), hand washing habit before eating (p=0.03; aOR=1.22; 95%, CI=1.01-3.89), hand washing habit after visiting toilet (p=0.01; aOR=2.85; 95%, CI=2.06-8.31), hand washing habit before food preparation (p=0.02; aOR=1.85; 95%, CI=1.27-4.34) and poor personal hygiene (p=0.00; aOR=3.39; 95%, CI=1.51-10.23) were factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections.Conclusions: The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis among food handlers was relatively low. Though the prevalence was low; regular medical check-up, training and health education on safe food handling and processing should be given to all food handlers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-178
Author(s):  
Sanjana Raj Kumari ◽  
Damodar Sharma ◽  
Brajesh Jha

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are important public health problem and are globally endemic. These parasites are responsible for the major share of morbidity and mortality in those communities where there is overcrowding, poor environmental sanitation and personal hygienic practices. Intestinal parasitic infection is highly prevalent among the general population in Nepal. This study was aimed to evaluate the burden of the intestinal parasitic infections and the pattern of distributions among patients attending in a tertiary care setting in Bharatpur, Nepal, over a period of one year (August 2017 to July 2018). Methods: Stool samples of patients received in the Microbiology laboratory, COMS that were subjected for routine stool investigations were included in this study. Naked eye physical examination, microscopic examination was carried out and parasites were identified in the received stool samples. The results were recorded, and data were entered into excel spreadsheet 2007. The percentages of the parasites present were calculated to find out the frequency and distribution. Results: A total of 1,558 fresh stool samples were screened, of which 20.60% (n=321) were positive for various intestinal parasites. Overall, helminthic infections (81.30%) were higher than protozoal infections (18.70%). On the whole, Ascaris lumbricoides showed higher prevalence (39.56%) followed by Ancylostoma duodenale (19.31%) and Giardia lamblia (9.97%).  17(1.09%) of the samples showed more than one parasite. Highest prevalence was seen in age group 15 to 25 years of age (27.40%). Conclusions: Parasitic infection is endemic. Apart from the early diagnosis and effective treatment, health education is a requisite to control infections in this area and awareness of sanitation to reduce and control parasitic infection.  


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document