scholarly journals Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Transmission Risk Factors in Primary School Children in Mbeere North Sub-County, Embu County, Kenya

Author(s):  
Samuel Kamonge ◽  
Lucy Kamau ◽  
Ngethe Muhoho

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) such as soil transmitted helminths (STH) and protozoa can cause diverse negative effects on human health. The prevalence of IPI in primary school children in Mbeere North sub-county in Embu County is not documented, though there are many cases reported in health centers in the area. The aim of this study was to establish the current prevalence of IPIs in primary school children in Mbeere North sub-county and the factors that perpetuate transmission which is necessary for implementation of suitable control programs in the study area. The study was done among primary school children from nine public schools. Three schools per administrative ward were randomly selected to represent each of the three administrative wards. A total of 414 pupils whose parents/guardians gave informed consent participated in the study, 46 pupils per school. Each participant provided a thumb size of early morning stool. The stool samples were processed by Formol-ether concentration technique and direct wet preparation methods for microscopic identification of intestinal parasites. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on age, sex, sanitation and hygiene practices. The overall point prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections amongst the pupils was 43%. Chi-square (χ²) test was done to determine the relationship between prevalence and the pupils’ age and sex. There was no significant association between prevalence and sex (χ² = 0.184, P = 0.668, df = 1) but a significant association was found between prevalence and age where children 11 years and below were more pre-disposed than those above 11 years old (χ² =4.770, P=0.043, df =1). Similarly, a significant association was found between water source and prevalence of IPI; the parasites infection prevalence decreased when tap water was used and increased when open surface water was used (F = 6.15, P = 0.006). From this study, it is clear that IPIs particularly E. histolytica are a problem in primary school children in Mbeere North Sub-County. There is an urgent need for provision of safe domestic water in the county. Additionally, community education on sanitation and IPI transmission risk factors is urgently required. The information generated in this study is beneficial to the public health service in designing control strategies for areas of high transmission.

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-146
Author(s):  
Baye Sitotaw ◽  
Yezina Gebeyaw ◽  
Haile Mekonnen

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


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-188
Author(s):  
Maru Wassie Yenene ◽  
Abayneh Unasho Gandile

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) have been still quite common in developing countries including Ethiopia, particularly in children with low socio-economic and poor living conditions. Previous studies in Ethiopia have shown high burden of intestinal parasitic infections among the primary school children. The effective prevention and control of parasitic infections require research work based on the identification of intestinal parasites including associated predisposing factors. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of common intestinal parasitic infections and predisposing factors among the asymptomatic primary school children. Methods: A school based cross- sectional study was conducted from September, 2019- January, 2020 and a total of 422 asymptomatic primary school children were involved in the study. Specimens of the stool samples were examined using the standard parasite and ova method. Direct microscopy using saline and iodine wet mount preparation was used to examine the presence of eggs and larvae of helminthes and trophozoites and cysts of protozoan parasites and formalin ether concentration method was used for quality assurance. Structured questionnaires were also used to collect quantitative data on socio-demographic characteristics and predisposing factors. Analysis of the data was made manually using the thematic framework method including descriptive statistics. Results: Among the 422 students (aged 5-14 years) participated in the study, 245(58%) were positive for one or more intestinal parasites. Of the total infected participants, 192(45.5%) were single infections and 53(12.6%) were double infections identified. Seven types of intestinal parasitic infections were identified in the present study. The most prevalent parasite was Giardia lamblia 95(22.5%) followed by hook worm 58(13.7%). Age groups 5-9 years old were more infected, 173 (70.6%) than age groups 10-14 years old 72(29.4%). This result also showed parasitic infections were associated with predisposing factors related to infectious cycles. Concluding Remarks and Recommendations: The present study revealed that there was a high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among students in the targeted primary schools. Therefore, all stakeholders should give attention to raise awareness about the prevention and control mechanisms of intestinal parasitic infections. Moreover, the health services of the local government should develop a habit of mass public health education and deworming intervention to improve the level of parasitic infection and environmental hygiene in the study area.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (E) ◽  
pp. 1422-1433
Author(s):  
Noha Salah Abdelsamie Hassan ◽  
Ghada Nasr Radwan

Intestinal parasitic infections are widespread and cause considerable morbidity. Although mortality from such infections is low, most intestinal parasitic infections interfere with nutrition, growth, development and cognitive progress of children, in addition to interference with productivity and quality of life of adults.   Study Aim: Reduction of intestinal parasites prevalence among primary school children.   Methods: this is a three-phased study; Desk review on current prevention and control methods including mass deworming in the light of global guidelines. Cross-sectional field study on 522 school children from 8 Governorates, and interviews with 168 members of the health team running the deworming campaign at these Governorates in 2017. Development of decision making approach to guide future consideration of mass deworming campaigns   Results: National mass deworming campaigns were effective in reducing prevalence of intestinal worms among primary school children in Egypt, and provided a nationwide awareness on the issue. However, unless these campaigns are combined with sustainable measures of clean drinking water, sewage disposal in schools and households the success of these campaigns in reducing intestinal worms' prevalence will be transient.   Conclusion and Recommendations: The national mass deworming campaigns ranged an alarm bell in the community about dangers of intestinal parasites. However, it's recommended to include other susceptible groups like preschool children, adolescent girls and women of childbearing age while focusing the deworming only on infected individuals. It's also recommended to convert the deworming campaigns into a program to ensure sustainability of resources and continuous monitoring and evaluation of intestinal parasitic burden among populations at risk.   Key Words: Intestinal Parasites – Primary School Children – Mass Deworming Campaigns – Egypt


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Kefale Shiferaw ◽  
Teklemichael Tesfay ◽  
Girmay Kalayu ◽  
Gebrehiwot Kiros

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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 34335-34335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afshin Barazesh ◽  
Moradali Fouladvand ◽  
Rahim Tahmasebi ◽  
Ali Heydari ◽  
Faramarz Kooshesh

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