scholarly journals Helminth infections among rural schoolchildren in Southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional multilevel and zero-inflated regression model

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. e0008002
Author(s):  
Hiwot Hailu Amare ◽  
Bernt Lindtjørn

Although the prevalence of helminths infection among schoolchildren is known, there has been little progress in the application of count model for modelling the risk factors of helminths egg. Only a few studies applied multilevel analysis to explore the variation in helminths prevalence across schools and classes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, intensity of helminths infection, and identify risk factors at the individual-, household-, and school-level among schoolchildren in Southern Ethiopia. Using multistage random sampling, we recruited 864 students in the Wonago District. We applied multilevel-logistic and zero-inflated negative binomial regression models (ZINB). Risk factors were concentrated at the individual level; school-level and class-level variables explained less than 5% of the variance. The overall helminths prevalence was 56% (479/850); Trichuris trichiura prevalence was 42.4% (360/850); and Ascaris lumbricoides prevalence was 18.7% (159/850). The rate of any helminths increased among thin children (AOR: 1.73 [95% CI: (1.04, 2.90]), anemic (AOR: 1.45 [95% CI: 1.04, 2.03]), mothers who had no formal education (AOR: 2.08 [95% CI: 1.25, 3.47]), and those in households using open containers for water storage (AOR: 2.06 [95% CI: 1.07, 3.99]). In the ZINB model, A. lumbricoides infection intensity increased with increasing age (AOR: 1.08 [95% CI: 1.01, 1.16]) and unclean fingernails (AOR: 1.47 [95% CI: 1.07, 2.03]). Handwashing with soap (AOR: 0.68 [95% CI: 0.48, 0.95]), de-worming treatment [AOR: 0.57 (95% CI: 0.33, 0.98)], and using water from protected sources [AOR: 0.46 (95% CI: 0.28, 0.77)] were found to be protective against helminths infection. After controlling for clustering effects at the school and class levels and accounting for excess zeros in fecal egg counts, we found an association between helminths infection and the following variables: age, thinness, anemia, unclean fingernails, handwashing, de-worming treatment, mother’s education, household water source, and water storage protection. Improving hygiene behavior, providing safe water at school and home, and strengthening de-worming programs is required to improve the health of schoolchildren in rural Gedeo.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiwot Hailu ◽  
Bernt Lindtjørn

AbstractBackgroundOver 28 million school-aged children are at risk of intestinal parasite infection in Ethiopia. Few studies have investigated household-level risk factors or applied multilevel analysis to account for the nested data structure. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, intensity, and risk factors of parasite infection among schoolchildren in rural South Ethiopia.Methodology/Principal FindingsUsing multistage random sampling, we recruited 864 students in the Wonago district. We applied multilevel-logistic and zero-inflated negative binomial regression models (ZINB). Risk factors were concentrated at the individual level; school-level and class-level variables explained less than 5% of the variance. The overall intestinal parasite prevalence was 56% (479/850); Trichuris trichiura prevalence was 75.2% (360/479); and Ascaris lumbricoides prevalence was 33.2% (159/479). The rate of infection increased among children with anemia (AOR: 1.45 [95% CI: 1.04, 2.03]), wasting (AOR: 1.73 [95% CI: (1.04, 2.90]), mothers who had no formal education (AOR: 1.08 [95% CI: 1.25, 3.47]), and those in households using open containers for water storage (AOR: 2.06 [95% CI: 1.07, 3.99]). In the ZINB model, A. lumbricoides infection intensity increased with increasing age (AOR: 1.08 [95% CI: 1.01, 1.16]) and unclean fingernails (AOR: 1.47 [95% CI: 1.07, 2.03]). Handwashing with soap (AOR: 0.68 [95% CI: 0.48, 0.95]), de-worming treatment [AOR: 0.57 (95% CI: 0.33, 0.98)], and using water from protected sources [AOR: 0.46 (95% CI: 0.28, 0.77)] were found to be protective against parasitic infection.Conclusions/SignificanceAfter controlling for clustering effects at the school and class levels and accounting for excess zeros in fecal egg counts, we found an association between parasite infections and the following variables: age, wasting, anemia, unclean fingernails, handwashing, de-worming treatment, mother’s education, household water source, and water storage protection. Improving hygiene behavior, providing safe water at school and home, and strengthening de-worming programs is required to improve the health of schoolchildren in rural Gedeo.Author summaryIntestinal parasite infections are common among school-aged children in Ethiopia. Several cross-sectional studies have investigated the prevalence and risk factors of these intestinal parasite infections. However, most were conducted in an urban setting in northern Ethiopia; they collected household-level risk factor information from the children, not the parents; and they restricted intestinal parasite infection data to binary outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to assess the prevalence and intensity of intestinal parasite infections and the related individual-, household-, and school-level risk factors among rural schoolchildren in southern Ethiopia. Using a multivariate, multilevel, regression model, we found minimal variation across class- and school-level factors for intestinal parasite infection prevalence. We found associations between intestinal parasite infections and most individual-level factors and some household-level factors. Therefore, interventions focusing on the individual, household, and school should be implemented to reduce the prevalence of infection and parasite load among schoolchildren.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Paul Byagamy ◽  
Geoffrey Maxwell Malinga ◽  
Harriet Angwech ◽  
Robert Opiro ◽  
Richard Echodu ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence, infection intensity and associated risk factors of intestinal schistosomiasis among primary school children in Lira district, Uganda. The study was conducted among 532 primary school pupils aged 6-16 years from eight randomly selected primary schools (March-May 2017). Stool samples were collected and examined for schistosomiasis using Odongo-Aginya method. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors were obtained using questionnaires. Results: The overall prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni was 35.7% indicating a moderate infection. Both males and females were equally affected with S. mansoni . Ogur sub county had highest prevalence (65.0%) than others. Akangi (65.5%) and Akano (64.5%) primary schools both had highest prevalence compared to the others. With regard to risk factors, source of drinking water, sub-county location and primary school were associated with prevalence of infection whereas only school location and home distance to water source was associated with intensity. Participants who fetch water from spring, dam and wells had higher infection than those who fetch from boreholes. The study recommends provision of safe water, periodic treatment of school-aged children with praziquantel and public health education to reduce prevalence of S. mansoni .


2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Molhima M. Elmahi ◽  
Mohammed O. Hussien ◽  
Abdel Rahim E. Karrar ◽  
Amira M. Elhassan ◽  
Abdel Rahim M. El Hussein

Abstract Background Bluetongue (BT) is a vector-borne viral disease of ruminant and camelid species which is transmitted by Culicoides spp. The causative agent of BT is bluetongue virus (BTV) that belongs to genus Orbivirus of the family Reoviridae. The clinical disease is seen mainly in sheep but mostly sub-clinical infections of BT are seen in cattle, goats and camelids. The clinical reaction of camels to infection is usually not apparent. The disease is notifiable to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), causing great economic losses due to decreased trade and high mortality and morbidity rates associated with bluetongue outbreaks. The objective of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of BTV in camels in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan and to identify the potential risk factors associated with the infection. A cross sectional study using a structured questionnaire survey was conducted during 2015–2016. A total of 210 serum samples were collected randomly from camels from 8 localities of Kassala State. The serum samples were screened for the presence of BTV specific immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). Results Seropositivity to BTV IgG was detected in 165 of 210 camels’ sera accounting for a prevalence of 78.6%. Potential risk factors to BTV infection were associated with sex (OR = 0.061, p-value = 0.001) and seasonal river as water source for drinking (OR = 32.257, p-value = 0.0108). Conclusions Sex and seasonal river as water source for drinking were considered as potential risk factors for seropositivity to BTV in camels. The high prevalence of BTV in camels in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan, necessitates further epidemiological studies of BTV infection in camels and other ruminant species to better be able to control BT disease in this region.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. e0258953
Author(s):  
Kalkidan Gezahegn ◽  
Selamawit Semagn ◽  
Mohammed Feyisso Shaka

Background Housemaids are the most vulnerable group to sexual violence due to their working condition, isolation and school arrangements. Despite the ubiquity of sexual violence among the domestic work sector, particularly among housemaids, this area of research continues to be neglected. This study was aimed at examining the prevalence and factors pertaining to sexual violence among housemaids attending night school program in urban setups of Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia. Method A school based quantitative cross sectional study was conducted among 394 housemaids attending night schools in the urban setups of Gedeo Zone from April to May 2019. After stratifying of students using class grade, SRS technique was used to choose study subjects from each stratum. Quantitative data was collected using face to face interview and qualitative was collected using focus group discussion, in-depth interview and key informant interview. The data was entered and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression was fitted to determine the association of each independent variable with the dependent variable. Result Based on the finding, the prevalence of sexual violence was 60.2%. The odds of experiencing sexual violence through working life-time as housemaid was higher for those who had migrated from rural to urban for work [AOR = 1.97: 95% CI, (1.07,3.63)], had less than 5 years of experience as housemaid [AOR = 3.10: 95% CI, (1.60, 6.00)], were in the age group of 15–19 [AOR = 3.75:95% CI (1.88, 7.46), ever used alcohol [AOR = 6.77: 95% CI, (2.65,17.33)] and whose fathers lacked formal education [AOR = 2.75:95%CI (1.24,6.08)]. On the other hand, unmarried /housemaids having no regular sexual partner were less likely to face sexual violence [AOR. = 0.28: 95% CI, (0.13, 0.57)]. Conclusion The level of sexual violence was found to be high among housemaids attending night schools in in this study. Housemaids from rural area, those newly starting the work, younger housemaids, and those who were married were more likely to be victims of sexual violence.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 112
Author(s):  
Fitrah Bintan Harisma ◽  
Fariani Syahrul ◽  
Teguh Mubawadi ◽  
Yudied Agung Mirasa

Background: Hepatitis A outbreaks were reported by the Lamongan District Health Office to the Surabaya Center for Environmental Health and Disease Control Engineering on January 16, 2018, indicated by an increase in hepatitis A cases in of G and S areas, B village. One of initial sufferer was students in High School X.. Purpose: This study aims to identify the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis A outbreaks that occur in High School X and the risk factors. Methods: The investigation was carried out in an observational manner with a cross sectional approach. Data were collected by structured interviews, hepatitis A antibodies in blood samples assay, environmental observation, and water samples assay. Data were collected with purposive determination of respondents. Results: Hepatitis A outbreaks at High School X in Lamongan District take place from November 2017 to january 2018, with a target group of 33 students. The epidemic cased tends to be extend common source. Risk factors are contact history with patients, eating habits together in same place, mutual exchange and sharing same eating utensils, the lack of hygiene habit (such as washing hands with soap for students and food handlers), lack of hand washing facilities, bad sanitation, bad food hygiene management, and inadequate clean and hygienis water source. Conclusion: The outbreaks of hepatitis A was extended with the most important risk factors, i.e. lack of personal hygiene and sanitation of water sources.


Author(s):  
Muna Abdella ◽  
WubitTafese Mhatebu

A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2015 to march 2016 on bovine fasciolosis, to assess the abattoir based prevalence, predominant species of bovine fasciolosis and associated risk factors of the disease in cattle slaughtered in Halaba municipal abattoir. A total of 384 cattle were examined using post mortem examination. Infection rates were (3.64%), 2.34%, 2.08%, and 1.82 % F. gigantic, F. hepatica, mixed and immature respectively with the overall prevalence of 9.88 % (38). F. gigantic was found to be the most prevalent species in cattle of the study area. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of fasciola infection was significantly higher in poor body condition animals than in medium and good body condition animals (p < 0.05). However, in terms of age, sex and breed, no statistically significant difference was found between infected animals (p > 0.05).The present study showed that bovine fasciolosis is one of the important pathogens in cattle in the study area and warrants appropriate disease prevention and control measures and further epidemiological investigations to determine the different agro ecological risk factors on the occurrence of the disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Morris Kahere ◽  
Themba Ginindza

Abstract Background Globally, chronic low back pain (CLBP) is the leading cause of disability associated with economic costs. However, it has received little attention in low-and-middle-income countries. This study estimated the prevalence and risk factors of CLBP among adults presenting at selected hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal. Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted among adults aged ≥18 years who attended the selected hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal during the study period. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic, work-related factors, and information about CLBP. The SPSS version 24.0 (IBM SPSS Inc) was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic characteristics of participants. CLBP risk factors were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. A p-value of ≤0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Results A total of 678 adults participated in this study. The overall prevalence of CLBP was 18.1% (95% CI: 15.3 – 21.3) with females having a higher prevalence than males, 19.8% (95% CI: 16.0 – 24.1) and 15.85% (95% CI: 11.8 – 20.6), respectively. Using multivariate regression analysis, the following risk factors were identified: overweight (aOR: 3.7, 95% CI: 1.1 – 12.3, p = 0.032), no formal education (aOR: 6.1, 95% CI: 2.1 – 18.1, p = 0.001), lack of regular physical exercises (aOR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.0 – 4.8, p = 0.044), smoking 1 to 10 (aOR: 4.5, 95% CI: 2.0 – 10.2, p < 0.001) and more than 11 cigarettes per day (aOR: 25.3, 95% CI: 10.4 – 61.2, p < 0.001), occasional and frequent consumption of alcohol, aOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1 – 5.9, p < 0.001 and aOR: 11.3, 95% CI: 4.9 – 25.8, p < 0.001, respectively, a sedentary lifestyle (aOR: 31.8, 95% CI: 11.2 – 90.2, p < 0.001), manual work (aOR: 26.2, 95% CI: 10.1 – 68.4, p < 0.001) and a stooped sitting posture (aOR: 6.0, 95% CI: 2.0 – 17.6, p = 0.001). Conclusion This study concluded that the prevalence of CLBP in KwaZulu-Natal is higher than in other regions, and that it is predicted by a lack of formal education, overweight, lack of regular physical exercises, smoking, alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, manual work, and a stooped posture.


2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 204-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosliza A. Manaf ◽  
Khadijah Shamsuddin

This study was conducted to measure the prevalence of cigarette smoking and to determine the individual, family, and environmental factors associated with smoking among young urban women. A cross-sectional study through self-administered questionnaire was conducted on female students enrolled in private higher learning institutions in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia, between July and October 2005. Analysis on 408 respondents showed that current smoker prevalence rate was 18.6%. Adjusted analyses showed significant association between smoking and individual factors, which are the importance of slim image, average monthly allowance, and car ownership. For family factors, analyses showed significant association between smoking and parental marital status and smoking status of male siblings. Strong associations were seen between female smoking and environmental factors, such as having more smoker friends, having smokers as best friends, keeping cigarette-brand items, being offered free cigarette, and perceiving female smoking as normal. The identified risk factors could be used to develop more effective prevention programs to overcome smoking among young urban women.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e042750
Author(s):  
Charles Okeahalam ◽  
Victor Williams ◽  
Kennedy Otwombe

IntroductionThe current COVID-19 pandemic is a global threat. This elicits questions on the level of preparedness and capacity of health systems to respond to emergencies relative to other parts of the world.MethodsThis cross-sectional study uses publicly available core health data for 53 African countries to determine risk factors for cumulative COVID-19 deaths and cases per million in all countries in the continent. Descriptive statistics were determined for the indicators, and a negative binomial regression was used for modelling the risk factors.ResultsIn sub-Saharan Africa, an increase in the number of nursing and midwifery personnel decreased the risk of COVID-19 deaths (p=0.0178), while a unit increase in universal healthcare (UHC) index of service coverage and prevalence of insufficient physical activity among adults increased the risk of COVID-19 deaths (p=0.0432 and p=0.0127). An increase in the proportion of infants initiating breast feeding reduced the number of cases per million (p<0.0001), while an increase in higher healthy life expectancy at birth increased the number of cases per million (p=0.0340).ConclusionDespite its limited resources, Africa’s preparedness and response to the COVID-19 pandemic can be improved by identifying and addressing specific gaps in the funding of health services delivery. These gaps impact negatively on service delivery in Africa, which requires more nursing personnel and increased UHC coverage to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Maria Ribeiro dos Santos ◽  
Rosalina Aparecida Partezani Rodrigues ◽  
Marina Aleixo Diniz

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze cases of trauma caused by traffic accidents in elderly individuals assisted at a reference municipal emergency hospital in 2010 and 2011. Method: longitudinal retrospective study was developed at an emergency hospital and a Traffic Accidents Repression Station, with 524 elderly individuals. All variables were submitted for descriptive analysis. Risk of involvement in accidents, occurrence of injury and death were determined using relative risk. Results: a statistically significant association was found in accidents with injuries when motorcycles were the vehicle that ran over the individual. Associations were also found between men and the occurrence of accidents, injury and death, mainly among younger elderly individuals. Most of the 524 elderly individuals who suffered an accident were men, married and had elementary school level education. Of these, 78.6% presented with injuries, with the majority of them being pedestrians. Conclusion: among younger elderly individuals, the possibility of death as a result of the injury was 3.4 times higher in 2010.


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