scholarly journals Assessment of the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated habit and culture-related risk factors among primary schoolchildren in Debre Berhan town, Northeast Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gedamu Gebreamlak Hailu ◽  
Esubalew Tesfahun Ayele
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Intestinal Parasitic Infections ◽  
Northeast Ethiopia ◽  
Related Risk ◽  
Debre Berhan ◽  
Primary Schoolchildren

Abstract Background Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are still among the major public health issues in developing countries. Assessing the prevalence of IPIs and potential risk factors in different localities is essential to enhance control strategies. To date, no prevalence assessment study was conducted in Debre Berhan town. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of IPIs and associated habit and culture-related risk factors among primary schoolchildren in Debre Berhan town, Northeast Ethiopia. Method School based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2017. A total of 645 children aged 6–15 years were selected from six primary schools in Debre Berhan town via a multistage random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data about sociodemographic and potential risk factor variables. Fresh stool samples were collected from each child and examined using direct smear and formal-ether concentration technique. Result Among the 645 children participated in the study, 341 (52.9%) were infected by one or more intestinal parasites. Helminths (33.8%) were more prevalent than protozoa (20%). Double parasitic infection rate was 0.9%. The predominant parasites were Ascaris lumbricoides (22.6%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii (18.1%) and Hymenolepis nana (5.7%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age of child (6–9 years), family size (above 5), mother’s illiteracy and primary education, father’s illiteracy, urban-farmer father, manual-worker father, not washing hands before eating, unclean fingers, open defecation site (ODS) near residence, latrine type, cultural response to dropped food (cleaning and eating; ‘kiss and replace’), habit of playing with waste water, habit of playing with soil, habit of sucking fingers and habit of eating when playing were significantly associated with IPIs (p< 0.05). Likewise, age (6–9 years), mother’s illiteracy, urban-farmer father, not washing hands before eating, ODS near residence, tradition of cleaning and eating dropped food, habit of playing with soil, sucking fingers and eating when playing were identified as significant risk factors of A. lumbricoides infection. Conclusion High prevalence of IPIs among the study participants demands improvement of environmental sanitation, personal hygiene, and health education regarding the potential habit and culture-related risk factors.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Risk Factors among the First-Cycle Primary Schoolchildren in Sasiga District, Southwest Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Baye Sitotaw ◽  
Wakgari Shiferaw
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Intestinal Parasitic Infections ◽  
Southwest Ethiopia ◽  
Primary Schoolchildren ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) have been major public health burdens in low-income countries like Ethiopia. Studies in different areas of Ethiopia have shown a high prevalence of IPIs in poor families. A similar study has not been conducted in Sasiga District given that the area is possibly at high-risk of IPIs due to the prevailing risk factors. This study is aimed at assessing the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors among schoolchildren in Sasiga District, southwest Ethiopia. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2018 to March 2019 to estimate the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors among the study participants. A total of 383 children were selected using resident-type and grade-level stratified systematic random sampling technique. Stool samples were examined microscopically using direct wet mount and formal-ether concentration techniques. A structured questionnaire was used to get information on the associated risk factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and p value of ≤0.05 was taken as statistically significant. The overall prevalence of IPIs among the children was 62.4% (239/383). Single, double, and triple infections were 49.9%, 10.7%, and 1.83%, respectively. Residence, family income, place of defecation, source of drinking water, shoe-wearing habit, handwashing habit after toilet use, ways of waste disposal, and cleanliness of fingernail were the most important predictors of IPIs (p<0.05). Ascaris lumbricoides (22.7% (87/383)) and hookworms (20.6% (79/383)) were the most prevalent parasites, followed by Entamoeba histolytica (8.1%), Trichuris trichiura (7.6%), Giardia intestinalis (6.5%), Hymenolepis nana (5.7%), and Schistosoma mansoni (4.4%), in that order. Sasiga District primary schoolchildren are likely at a high burden of IPIs. Intensive health education on personal hygiene and environmental sanitation is needed.

scholarly journals Human Intestinal Parasites: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors among Grade School Children in Maksegnit, Northwest Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Kefale Shiferaw ◽  
Teklemichael Tesfay ◽  
Girmay Kalayu ◽  
Gebrehiwot Kiros
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
School Children ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Northwest Ethiopia ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Single Infection ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Grade School ◽  
Intestinal Parasitic Infections ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

This study was aimed to assess the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections in grade school children in Maksegnit, Northwest Ethiopia. Five species of intestinal parasites were identified with an overall prevalence of 155 (40.4%). Among these, Ascaris lumbricoides 122 (31.8%) and Entamoeba histolytica 18 (4.7%) were predominant. Of the total 155 (40.4%) positive individuals, 149 (39%) had a single infection and the rest 6 (1.6%) had double parasitic infections. Of the different variables assessed, age, gender, shoe wearing, and eating raw or undercooked vegetables were not significantly associated with the prevalence of intestinal parasites ( P > 0.05 ). However, a statistically significant association ( P < 0.05 ) was observed between infected children and variables including defecation habit (AOR = 0.216), cleanliness of fingernails (AOR = 0.146), drinking river water (AOR = 0.124), and hand washing habit after defecation (AOR = 0.236) ( P < 0.05 ). Regular deworming, education on personal hygiene, and environmental sanitation to both students and their parents shall be implemented to reduce the prevalence rate of intestinal parasitic infections in the study area.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Risk Factors among School Children in Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kirinyaga County, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Njambi ◽  
Dennis Magu ◽  
Janet Masaku ◽  
Collins Okoyo ◽  
Sammy M. Njenga
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Intestinal Protozoa ◽  
Intestinal Parasitic Infections ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Home And School ◽  
At Home

School children bear a significant burden of intestinal parasitic infections. Because they spend most of their time at home and school, it is necessary to identify the key water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) factors associated with these infections in both environments. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in Mwea West, Kirinyaga County. 180 primary school children aged 8–14 years were randomly selected from three schools (Mianya, Mbui Njeru, and Mukou primary schools). Questionnaires and checklists were administered and single stool samples were collected. Stool samples were microscopically examined for Schistosoma mansoni, soil-transmitted helminths, and protozoan infections. Data on WASH were obtained at home and school. The factors significantly associated with S. mansoni and intestinal protozoa infections in the school children were determined using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models reporting the odds ratio at 95% confidence intervals. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni and intestinal protozoa infections was 70.5% (95% CI: 59.1–84.3) and 32.7% (95% CI: 26.8–40.1), respectively. Only one case of STH (A. lumbricoides) was identified. The prevalence of coinfections of S. mansoni and intestinal protozoa infections was 22.8% (95% CI: 19.2–27.1). An increased prevalence of S. mansoni infection was associated with children above 12 years (aOR = 3.19, p=0.015), those in Mianya primary (aOR = 1.23, p=0.001), those in Mukou primary (aOR = 3.19, p=0.001), and reported behavior of wearing shoes at home (aOR = 1.67, p=0.010). However, handwashing behavior after defecation at home (aOR = 0.39, p=0.001) was protective against S. mansoni infection. For any protozoan infection, male children had increased odds of infection (aOR = 2.41, p=0.001) while use of wiping material (aOR = 0.55, p=0.019) and water contact (aOR = 0.32, p=0.001) was protective against intestinal protozoa infections. Infections with S. mansoni and any protozoa and their coinfection were present. Findings revealed that several hygiene factors were protective against infections while other were risk factors. Therefore, deworming should be complemented with behavior education on hygienic habits.

scholarly journals Intestinal parasitic infections and malnutrition amongst first-cycle primary schoolchildren in Adama, Ethiopia

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Getachew Belay ◽  
Pawlos Reji ◽  
Berhanu Erko ◽  
Mengistu Legesse ◽  
Mulugeta Belay
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Stool Examination ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Intestinal Parasitic Infections ◽  
Primary Schoolchildren ◽  
And Control

Background: A survey of intestinal parasitic infections and malnutrition in different regions or localities is a very important step in developing appropriate prevention and control strategies.Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the magnitude of intestinal parasitic infections and malnutrition amongst first-cycle primary schoolchildren in Adama town,Ethiopia.Method: A total of 358 children from four primary schools in Adama town were included for stool examination, weight for age, height for age, weight for height and socio-economic status of the family.Results: The result of stool examinations showed that 127 (35.5%) of the study subjects were infected by one or more parasite. The most frequent parasites were Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (12.6%) and Hymenolopis nana (8.9%). The rate of intestinal parasitic infection was not significantly associated with sex, age or socio-economic factors and nutrition (P > 0.05). The overall prevalence of malnutrition was 21.2%. Those children whose families had a monthly income of less than 200 ETB (Ethiopian birr) were highly affected by malnutrition (P < 0.05),but family education was not identified as a factor for malnutrition amongst schoolchildren.Conclusion: The prevalence of E. histolytica/dispar and H. nana could be of public health importance and calls for appropriate control strategies, and the high prevalence of malnutrition amongst children from poor families requires intervention.

scholarly journals Risk factors associated with scabies infestation among primary schoolchildren in a low socio-economic area in southeast of Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Sanei-Dehkordi ◽  
Moussa Soleimani-Ahmadi ◽  
Mehdi Zare ◽  
Seyed Aghil Jaberhashemi
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Major Health Problem ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Primary Schoolchildren ◽  
Scabies Infestation

Abstract Background Scabies is a neglected tropical disease caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei that burrows under the skin. It is a major health problem in tropical areas, largely affecting children. Scabies is common and highly contagious and in schoolchildren spreads quite rapidly, due to overcrowding and close contact within the schools. This study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with scabies infestation among primary schoolchildren in Bashagard County, one of the low socio-economic areas in southeast of Iran. Methods To conduct this community-based, descriptive, and cross-sectional study, four primary schools were randomly selected in the Bashagard County. All students in these schools were selected and examined for scabies. Clinical examination and sociodemographic profile of students were assessed using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression were used to analyse the factors associated with scabies infestation by SPSS version 21 software. Results Out of 480 studied schoolchildren, 15 cases of scabies with a prevalence of 3.1 % were observed. The frequency of infestation in males was 1.6 % and it was 4.7 % in females. Independent factors associated with a high risk of scabies infestation in unadjusted analysis were being student of grade 5–6 (cOR = 13.12, 95 % CI 2.92–58.89, p = 0.0001), low educational level of father (cOR = 4.37, 95 % CI 0.97–19.59, p = 0.036), low educational level of mother (cOR = 4.14, 95 % CI 1.92–18.57, p = 0.045), joblessness of father (cOR = 14.77, 95 % CI 4.97–43.89, p = 0.0001), employment of mother (cOR = 5.28, 95 % CI 1.38–20.16, p = 0.007), large family size (cOR = 3.34, 95 % CI 1.05–10.64, p = 0.031), use of shared articles (cOR = 33.37, 95 % CI 10.82–102.90, p = 0.0001), and absence of bathroom in the house (cOR = 11.77, 95 % CI 2.16–63.94, p = 0.0001). Conclusions Results of this study confirmed that scabies is still one of the most important health problems in the primary schools of the Bashagard County. Low socioeconomic status and personal hygiene of the schoolchildren were the most important factors influencing the prevalence of scabies. Improvement of socioeconomic conditions and implementation of appropriate educational programs and active surveillance system to quickly detect and treat scabies cases are necessary in order to reduce the prevalence of scabies in schoolchildren in this area.

scholarly journals Prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections among primary school children at Bure town, north-west Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-146
Author(s):  
Baye Sitotaw ◽  
Yezina Gebeyaw ◽  
Haile Mekonnen
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Primary School ◽  
School Children ◽  
Intestinal Parasites ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Intestinal Parasitic Infections ◽  
Environmental Sanitation ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

The burden of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) has been a common problem on children in Ethiopia. While communities in Bure town, northwest Ethiopia, are presumed to be exposed to IPIs, no study has been conducted before. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors among school children in Bure town by conducting a cross-sectional study from January to June 2019. A total of 430 students were selected using stratified systematic random sampling technique. Direct wet-mount and formal-ether concentration techniques were used for parasitological analysis from stool samples taken from each student. Information about the risk factors was collected using structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. The overall prevalence of IPIs among the children involved in the study was found to be 40% (172/430). Some 37.7% of the students exhibited single parasite infection, 2.1% double and 0.23% triple parasite. Seven species of intestinal parasites were detected, and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar was the most prevalent parasite (22.1%) followed by Giardia lamblia (8.6%), hookworms (6.75%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (3.7%). Hymenolepis nana, Trichuris trichuira and Taenia species were rare  (<1% prevalence each). Knowledge about personal and food hygiene as well as environmental sanitation were the most important predictors for IPIs (P<0.05). Primary school children in Bure town are at high risk of IPIs. Awareness creation on personal hygiene and environmental sanitation is strongly recommended. Keywords: Intestinal parasitic infections; Prevalence; Primary school children; Risk factor; Bure town

scholarly journals Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitism and Associated Risk Factors in Rural and Urban Areas of Southern Algeria: a Four-year Community Based Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soumia Sebaa ◽  
Jerzy M. Behnke ◽  
Djamel Baroudi ◽  
Ahcene Hakem ◽  
Marawan Abu-Madi
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
School Children ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Intestinal Parasitic Infections ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Intestinal Parasitism

Abstract Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are amongst the most common infections worldwide and have been identified as one of the most significant causes of morbidity and mortality among disadvantaged populations. This community based study was conducted to assess the magnitude and pattern of intestinal parasitism and to identify the key risk factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections in Laghouat province, south Algeria.Methods: Stool samples were collected from 2277 symptomatic and asymptomatic patients aged 1-89 years old. Structured questionnaire were used to identify environmental, socio demographic and behavioral factors. Stool specimens were collected and examined for intestinal parasitic infection. Results: More than 33% of participants were found to be infected for at least one protozoan and/or helminth parasite. Of these, the most common parasites were Blastocystis spp. (17.79%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (8.78%), Giardia intestinalis (4.22%), Entamoeba coli (4.08%) and more rarely Endolimax nana, Cryptosporidium spp, Trichomonas intestinalis, Enterobius vermicularis, Taenia spp., and a single case of Trichuris trichiura. Multivariate analysis revealed significant associations between prevalence and species richness of combined protozoan parasites and contact with animal, living in rural areas and relying primarily on tap water, particularly in young individuals. Analysis of temporal consistency showed a high rate of infection in rural locations in the spring of 2018 and a firm relationship between school children and tap water was also detected. Conclusions: The high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among the Laghouat population, with identification of several risk factors indicates that parasitic infections are important public health problems. Therefore, several strategies are recommended in order to effectively reduce these infections including good animal husbandry practices, health education focused on good personal hygiene practices especially for school children, availability of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document