scholarly journals Nutrition, Water quality, Sanitation and Hygiene Practices Associated with Children’s Health Status in Nepal. A Cross-sectional Study on Intestinal Parasitic Infections, Diarrhoea and Undernutrition

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akina Shrestha ◽  
Jeanne Six ◽  
Dikshya Dahal ◽  
Rubika Shrestha ◽  
Madan Bhatta ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Providing universal access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in remote Nepal remains challenging. Efforts to improve WASH access in these areas are impeded by a dearth of information on the status of WASH conditions and its association with health and nutritional status of children in Nepal. Methods: We investigated nutritional status, WASH practices, and their association with intestinal parasitic infections, diarrhoea, undernutrition and clinical signs of nutritional deficiencies (hereafter health outcomes) during March to May 2018. Data was collected through a cross-sectional survey of 1427 households, including questionnaires, observations, stool analysis, anthropometry, water quality measurements and assessment of clinical signs of nutritional deficiencies. Results: We found that 55.5% had undernutrition, 63.9% had clinical signs of nutritional deficiencies, 51.1% of children were suffering from intestinal parasitic infections, and 52.2% had waterborne illnesses. Multivariate mixed logistic regression analysis revealed statistically significant associations (p<0.05) between aforementioned health outcomes and a better socioeconomic status (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=0.43, 95% confidence intervals (CI)=0.25-0.75), caregivers who can read (AOR=4.07, 95% CI=1.00-16.5), own food production of food (AOR=0.67, 95% CI=0.46-0.97), providing food supplements to the children (AOR=0.57, 95% CI=0.38-0.84), intermittent water supply (AOR=2.72, 95% CI=1.18-6.31), source water quality (AOR=10.44, 95% CI=1.61-67.4), washing hands when they look dirty (AOR=0.47, 95% CI=0.32-0.71), no toilet at home (AOR=6.12, 95% CI=1.08-14.25), cleanliness of the available toilet (AOR=0.68, 95% CI=0.47-0.98), handwashing after going to toilet (AOR=0.37, 95% CI=0.13-1.02), cleanliness of caregivers hand (AOR=0.61, 95% CI=0.41-0.89), presence of earthen floor (AOR=2.29, 95% CI=1.20-4.37), animals inside the house overnight (AOR=1.71, 95% CI=1.17-2.51) and regular deworming of the children (AOR=0.44, 95% CI=0.20-0.94). Conclusions: Findings suggest improvements in WASH services, along with household hygiene and nutritional interventions, may together reduce child morbidity and mortality in Nepal. Keywords: Drinking Water Quality, Sanitation and Hygiene, Child Health, Diarrhoea, Undernutrition, Intestinal Parasitic Infections, Nepal.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akina Shrestha ◽  
Jeanne Six ◽  
Dikshya Dahal ◽  
Rubika Shrestha ◽  
Madan Bhatta ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Providing universal access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in remote Nepal remains challenging. Efforts to improve WASH access in these areas are impeded by a dearth of information on the status of WASH conditions and its association with health and nutritional status of children in Nepal. Methods: We investigated WASH practices, nutritional status, and their association with intestinal parasitic infections, diarrhoea, undernutrition and clinical signs of nutritional deficiencies (hereafter health outcomes) during March to May 2018. Data was collected through cross-sectional survey of 1427 households, including questionnaires, observations, stool analysis, anthropometry, water quality measurements and assessment of clinical signs of nutritional deficiencies. Results: We found that 51.1% of children were suffering from intestinal parasitic infections and 55.5% had undernutrition; 52.2% had waterborne illnesses; and 63.9% had clinical signs of nutritional deficiencies. Multivariate mixed logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations between health outcomes and intermittent water supply (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.72, 95% confidence intervals (CI)=1.18-6.31, P =0.02), washing hands when they look dirty (AOR=0.47, 95% CI=0.32-0.71, P =0.01), handwashing after going to toilet (AOR=0.37, 95% CI=0.13-1.02, P =0.06), cleanliness of the toilet (AOR=0.68, 95% CI=0.47-0.98, P =0.04), presence of earthen floor (AOR=2.29, 95% CI=1.20-4.37, P =0.01), caregivers who can read (AOR=4.07, 95% CI=1.00-16.55, P =0.05), no toilet (AOR=6.12, 95% CI=1.08-14.25, P =0.04), cleanliness of caregivers hand (AOR=0.61, 95% CI=0.41-0.89, P =0.01), regular deworming (AOR=0.44, 95% CI=0.20-0.94, P =0.03), own food production (AOR=0.67, 95% CI=0.46-0.97, P =0.03), animals inside the house overnight (AOR=1.71, 95% CI=1.17-2.51, P =0.01), source water quality (AOR=10.44, 95% CI=1.61-67.4, P =0.01), better socioeconomic status (AOR=0.43, 95% CI=0.25-0.75, P =0.01), and food supplements (AOR=0.57, 95% CI=0.38-0.84, P =0.01). Conclusions: Findings suggest improvements in WASH services, along with household hygiene and nutritional interventions, may together reduce child morbidity and mortality in Nepal.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-152
Author(s):  
Kpurkpur Tyoalumun, MSc ◽  
Sani Sani Abubakar, MSc ◽  
Nongu Christopher, MLT

Background and Objectives: Intestinal parasitic infections are highly prevalent in developing countries, contributing to high incidence of malnutrition and morbidity. This study aimed to fi nd the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and their association with nutritional status of children in Benue State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional study conducted from January-June 2016, among 418 school children under-5 years of age. Anthropometric data, height-for-age, weight-for-height, and weight-for-age Z-scores from each child and fecal samples were collected and screened for intestinal parasites using standard laboratory methods. Results: Among the intestinal parasitic infections detected, the prevalence of E. histolytica was higher (51.0% and 29.0%) than all other parasites encountered in rural and urban pupils (P<0.05). Other parasites were Hookworm (46.2% and 24.8%); G. lamblia (11.5% and 8.6%); and T. trichiura (2.4% and 5.2%). The prevalence of stunting (HAZ<-2), in rural and urban pupils were 43.8% and 32.9%; 64.4% and 39.0% rural and urban pupils were underweight (WAZ<-2), while 30.3% and 24.3% were wasted (WHZ<-2). Infected children had signifi cantly (P<0.05) higher z-scores than the uninfected children. Conclusion and Global Health Implications: Benue State is among the Nigerian states with the highest burden of tropical diseases with a current plan of elimination implemented through mass drug administration. This study identify/evaluate some essential information that will support the planning and implementation of the State’s ongoing efforts.   Copyright © 2016 Tyoalumun et al. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0.


Author(s):  
N. F. Onyemelukwe ◽  
U. C. Maduakor ◽  
C. A. Uchenna ◽  
U. Okongwu

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) have remained a serious challenge to developing countries. Infectious disease and nutritional deficiencies can impact adversely on the nutritional status of children. Hence, this study aimed at investigating prevalence of Intestinal parasitic infections among malnourished children in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria. It was a case-controlled study consisting of 164 malnourished children and 100 well-nourished subjects between the ages of 0-10 years whose caregivers gave their consent. Anthropometric measures were evaluated using the Gomez system of classification. Stool samples were analyzed using standard parasitological protocols. Of the 164 malnourished children 52(31.7%), 63(38.4%), 49(29.9%) had mild, moderate, and severe malnutrition respectively. Five species of helminths and three species of protozoa were detected. The overall prevalence was 51.8% among the malnourished and 12% in well-nourished children. The prevalence of IPIs among the control, mild, moderate, and severe malnutrition were 12%, 36.5%, 60.3%, and 57.1% respectively. Ascaris lumbricoides ranked highest 40(37.7%) followed by Hookworm 31(29.3%) and the least was Strongyloides stercoralis 4(3.8%) among the helminths while Cryptosporidium spp was the most prevalent protozoa 8(7.6%) and the least was Isospora spp. 2(1.9%). Mixed infections were detected in 3(7.5%) and 6(21.4%) among children with moderate and severe malnutrition respectively. Nutritional status was found to be a significant risk factor while gender and age were statistically insignificant P= 0.118 and P= 0.455 respectively. The study revealed that malnourished children are highly susceptible to IPIs. There is a need for integrated effort to address malnutrition and parasitic infections


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-287
Author(s):  
S. Viesy ◽  
J. Abdi ◽  
Z. Rezaei

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Lastrucci ◽  
M Spinicci ◽  
F Macchioni ◽  
S Gabrielli ◽  
A L Villagran ◽  
...  

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 &lt; 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 &lt; 0.001; 16.1% vs 31.6%, p &lt; 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.


2003 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. 1097-1106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aisha K. Yousafzai ◽  
Suzanne Filteau ◽  
Sheila Wirz

The aim of the present study was to explore the nature, extent and probable causes of nutritional deficiencies among children with disabilities living in Dharavi, a slum in Mumbai, India. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate whether the nutritional status of children with disabilities, aged 2–6 years (n141), was worse than that of non-disabled sibling controls (n122) and neighbour controls (n162). Data on food patterns, anthropometry, micronutrient status and feeding difficulties reported by parents were collected. The mean weight for age of the children with disabilities (−2·44 (sd 1·39)Zscores;n120) was significantly lower (P<0·05) compared with the sibling (−1·70 (sd 1·20)Zscores;n109) and neighbour (−1·83 (sd 1·290)Zscores;n162) control groups. The children with disabilities had significantly lower (P<0·05) mean haemoglobin levels (92 (sd 23) g/l;n134) compared with siblings (102 (sd 18) g/l;n103) and neighbours (99 (sd 18) g/l;n153). Relative risk (RR) analysis indicated that the disabled children with feeding difficulties were significantly more likely (P<0·05) to be malnourished, by the indicator of weight for age (RR 1·1; 95 % CI 1·08, 1·20) compared with the disabled children without a feeding difficulty. They were also significantly more likely to be malnourished using the indicators of height for age (RR 1·3; 95 % CI 1·19, 1·43) and weight for height (RR 2·4; 95 % CI 1·78, 3·23) compared with the disabled children without a feeding difficulty. Feeding difficulties were identified as a risk factor for vulnerability to inadequate nutritional status among children with disabilities.


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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Sherlina Rintik Tirta Ayu ◽  
Sri Haryati ◽  
Yulia Sari ◽  
Sutartinah Handayani

<p>Intestinal parasitic infections are caused by protozoa, STH and non-STH worms. Immunity, which can be determined by measuring nutritional status, and personal hygiene can affect the occurrence of intestinal parasite infections. This study aims to determine the relationship between personal hygiene and nutritional status against intestinal parasite infections in elementary school students in Simo Boyolali. This type of analytic observational research with a cross sectional approach. Total sampling was taken at elementary school of Wates, Talakbroto 1, and Kedunglengkong 1 Simo, Boyolali. There were 11 students with worms infections, 16 with protozoa infections, and 4 with worms and protozoa infection. There was a relationship between washing hands before eating (p = 0.004), after eating (0.027), after defecating (p = 0.04), biting nails (p = 0.008), wearing footwear when leaving the house (p = 0.008) , removing shoes while playing during school breaks (p = 0.001), and nutritional status (p = 0.002) with intestinal parasite infection. There was no relationship between nail clipping once a week (p = 0.118) and the availability of a latrine (p = 0.416) with intestinal parasitic infections. So, there is a relationship between personal hygiene (washing hands before eating, after eating, after defecating, biting nails, wearing footwear when leaving the house, removing shoes when playing during school breaks, and nutritional status) and intestinal parasitic infections.</p><p> </p><p>Keywords<strong>:</strong> elementary school; protozoa; worms.</p>


2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 1005-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Curtale ◽  
M. Abdel Fattah ◽  
M. El Shazly ◽  
M. Youssef Shamy ◽  
F. El Sahn

In a cross-sectional survey, we investigated exposure to and the presence of factors associated with anaemia, such as socioeconomic conditions, dietary habits, intestinal parasitic infections and lead among 355 young male workers [7-19 years of age]employed in private workshops. Of the total study sample, 44.5% [158 participants]were found to be anaemic. The major risk factors for anaemia were multiple parasitic infection, high intensity of parasitic [Ascaris lumbricoides]infection and drinking tea soon after a meal. A significantly lower prevalence of anaemia was noted after Ramadan; it appeared to be the main factor associated with the presence or absence of anaemia and warrants further attention.


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