scholarly journals Soil Transmitted Helminths and Plasmodium falciparum Co-infections among School Children in Bugesera District, Rwanda: Implications for National Control Programs

Author(s):  
Umwanankundi Marcelline ◽  
Mazigo D. Humphrey ◽  
Tumusiime David ◽  
Mucumbitsi Joseph ◽  
Arpita Sharma ◽  
...  

Soil Transmitted Helminths and Plasmodium infections are ubiquitous with morbidity and mortality within the tropical and subtropical regions. However, the extent and consequences of STH-Plasmodium co-infection at different spatial scales are poorly understood. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminths and Plasmodium coinfection, and, the impact thereof among school children in Bugesera District of Eastern Rwanda. Study Design: Cross Sectional Survey Place and Duration of Study: The survey was conducted in Bugesera district, Eastern Rwanda, between May and December 2020. Methodology: The survey was conducted among children between ages 5 and 18 years, across 21 randomly selected primary schools. Stool samples were collected and screened for soil transmitted helminths using Kato-Katz, while finger-prick blood samples were examined under the microscope to determine Plasmodium infection. Results: Overall the prevalence of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, Hookworm and P. falciparum was 4.43%, 0.76%, 0.16% and 3.15% respectively. On the other hand, 36.15% were co-infected with A. lumbricoides and P. falciparum. Surprisingly, the coinfection was higher 41.79%, (P<0.001) in girls than the overall coinfection prevalence. Conclusion: Helminthiasis and malaria remain dominant, in spite of the continuing and tremendous national control programs. The strikingly surprising higher prevalence of A. lumbricoides-P. falciparum co-infection in girls calls for additional investigations.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
qing gong ◽  
X Li ◽  
J Wang ◽  
Y Zhang

Abstract PurposeThis study aimed to examine the association between eating speed and overweight in Chinese school-children. MethodsIn all, 664 schoolchildren (10-12 y) from 3 primary schools participated in this study in China. Their height and body weight were measured. Information about eating speed and other lifestyle behaviors was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for overweight. ResultsData from 629 students were analyzed. 26.2% of participants reported they were eating fast. The prevalence of overweight (including obesity) was 22.9%, and the mean of sleep duration was 9.69 (SD= 0.63) hours (Table 1). In the multiple linear regression analysis, eating speed was negatively associated with BMI (B=-0.70; P﹤0.05) and TG (B=-0.16; P﹤0.05). In addition, participants who ate fast were more likely to be overweight (OR=1.81, 95% CI= 1.19 to 2.75) after adjusting for potential confounding factors. ConclusionsThis study indicates that eating fast is associated with overweight among Chinese school-children.Level of evidenceLevel V; cross-section descriptive study


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-130
Author(s):  
Shabani N. Maijo

This study conducted to assess the impact of school feeding programme on pupil’s academic performance in Mlunduzi ward, Tanzania. The cross-sectional survey design was used for this study. This study was equally qualitative and quantitative in nature. A questionnaire was administered to capture the impact from 96 respondents in four randomly selected primary schools in Mlunduzi ward. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was employed to complement the questionnaires. A checklist was used to validate data from learners and teachers through the focus group discussion. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results expose that school feeding programme had shown significant impact on learner’s academic performance. The analysis has indicated that the school feeding programme had increased examination performance, helped to get learners into school, enhancing enrolment and reducing absenteeism. The assessment of examination scores in the period before and during school feeding programme had shown that learners got better in an examination during the school feeding programme than before. The study recommends that in practice school feeding programme is difficult interventions; it can be with advantages if the policy makers and implementers can benefit from a careful examination of the programme by involving local communities than depending on donors so as to ensure sustainability of the programme.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akinola S. Oluwole ◽  
Adebiyi A. Adeniran ◽  
Hammed O. Mogaji ◽  
Dorcas B. Olabinke ◽  
Eniola M. Abe ◽  
...  

AbstractA cross-sectional survey was carried out in primary schools to determine prevalence, intensity and spatial co-distribution of Schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths (STH) infections in Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of 2148 pupils from 42 schools were examined forSchistosomaand STH infections from urine and fresh fecal samples respectively. Ethyl ether concentration method prepared in sodium acetate – acetic acid – formalin ether was used to concentrate parasites’ ova before microscopic examination. The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis and STH infections were 4.0% (95% CI = 3.21–4.92) and 34.64% (95% CI = 32.62–36.69) respectively.Schistosoma haematobiumandAscaris lumbricoideswere the most prevalent across the study area among theSchistosomaand STH species respectively. Overall, intensity of infection was higher in males than in females for allSchistosomaand STH infections, but with no significant difference (P &gt; 0.05), except forTrichuris trichiura(χ2 = 6.490,P &lt; 0.05). Infection intensity was significantly inversely correlated (χ2 = 12.953,P &lt; 0.05) with an increase in age group. Co-distribution ofSchistosomaand STH infections occurred in 15 (35.7%) out of 42 schools, and only 30 children (1.4%) had co-infection ofSchistosomaand STH. This study provides information on the prevalence and spatial risk of schistosomiasis and STH in Ogun State. This will serve as decision-support tool for Ogun State programme managers to help facilitate integration of schistosomiasis and STH control.


Author(s):  
Hasan Mahfuz Reza ◽  
Ashees Kumar Saha

Background: The purposes of sanitation are to provide a healthy living environment for everyone, to protect the natural resources such as surface water, ground water, soil and to provide safety; security and dignity for people when they urinate or defecate. Effective sanitation system provide barrier between excreta and humans in such a way as to break the disease transmission cycle. The study was conducted to explore the level of knowledge and practices of primary school children regarding use of sanitary latrine.Methods: A cross sectional survey was carried out among 372 children in 4 selected primary schools. Data were collected using questionnaires regarding socio-demographic characteristics of children, their knowledge and practices of using sanitary latrine.Results: Study results showed majority of the students (84.9%) heard the name of sanitary latrine and 15.1% students didn’t. The study showed that about 80.1% students had pucca/water seal latrine and 18.8% students had kantcha latrine in their houses. It was found that almost all students (98.4%) use sanitary latrine and only 1.6% didn’t. It was also found that about 98.9% students use soap after defecation and 1.1% use only water.Conclusions: The result shows that majority of the students heard the name of sanitary latrine and almost all students use sanitary latrine. So the knowledge and practices regarding use of sanitary latrine of primary school children is satisfactory.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ruth W. Kiiti ◽  
Elizabeth N. Omukunda ◽  
Jackson C. Korir

Background. Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and schistosome infections have been known to be major causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan countries. School aged and preschool children are known to be at high risk of infection. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with soil-transmitted helminths among school-going children in Lurambi Subcounty, Kakamega, Kenya. Method. A cross-sectional study was conducted from Jan 2020 to Feb 2020 among 392 randomly selected primary school-going children aged 5 to 14 years old in six primary schools. Risk factors associated with STH infection were obtained using a structured questionnaire answered by the children’s caregivers. Stool samples were examined using the standard quantitative Kato-Katz technique. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and Epi Info version 7.2.3.1. Result. A total of 278 children provided stool samples for analysis. The overall prevalence of intestinal helminths was 14.4% (40/278). The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was 11.5% (32/278), 0.4% (1/278) for hookworm, 0.4% (1/278) for Trichuris trichiura, and 2.1% (6/278) for Schistosoma mansoni; coinfection was detected in 0.4% (1/278). The intensity of infection ranged between light and moderate. Significant risk factors for STH infection included failure to wash hands before eating (OR: 3.529; P = 0.041 ), failure to wash fruits and vegetables before eating (OR: 2.3129; P = 0.005 ), and not washing hands after soil contact (OR: 2.1529; P = 0.005 ). Age ( Z = 2.4006 , P = 0.0164 ) was a risk factor only for infection with Schistosoma mansoni. Conclusion. Preventive chemotherapy and proper hygienic and sanitation practices should be integrated to achieve elimination of STH and Schistosoma mansoni in Lurambi Subcounty and at large in Kenya.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 724-736
Author(s):  
Almea Matanock ◽  
Xin Lu ◽  
Gordana Derado ◽  
Victoria M. Cuéllar ◽  
Patricia Juliao ◽  
...  

Abstract Improved water quality reduces diarrhea, but the impact of improved water quality on Ascaris and Trichuris, soil-transmitted helminths (STH) conveyed by the fecal-oral route, is less well described. To assess water quality associations with diarrhea and STH, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in households of south-eastern Guatemala. Diarrhea was self-reported in the past week and month. STH was diagnosed by stool testing using a fecal parasite concentrator method. We explored associations between Escherichia coli-positive source water (water quality) and disease outcomes using survey logistic regression models. Overall, 732 persons lived in 167 households where water was tested. Of these, 79.4% (581/732) had E. coli-positive water, 7.9% (58/732) had diarrhea within the week, 14.1% (103/732) had diarrhea within the month, and 6.6% (36/545) tested positive for Ascaris or Trichuris, including 1% (6/536) who also reported diarrhea. Univariable analysis found a statistically significant association between water quality and STH (odds ratio [OR] = 5.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1–24.5) but no association between water quality and diarrhea. Waterborne transmission and effects of water treatment on STH prevalence should be investigated further. If a causal relationship is found, practices such as household water treatment including filtration might be useful adjuncts to sanitation, hygiene, and deworming in STH control programs.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khanh Ngoc Cong Duong ◽  
Tien Nguyen Le Bao ◽  
Phuong Thi Lan Nguyen ◽  
Thanh Vo Van ◽  
Toi Phung Lam ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The first nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic was implemented in Vietnam from April 1 to 15, 2020. Nevertheless, there has been limited information on the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological health of the public. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychological issues and identify the factors associated with the psychological impact of COVID-19 during the first nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. METHODS We employed a cross-sectional study design with convenience sampling. A self-administered, online survey was used to collect data and assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants from April 10 to 15, 2020. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were utilized to assess psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and stress of participants during social distancing due to COVID-19. Associations across factors were explored using regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 1385 respondents completed the survey. Of this, 35.9% (n=497) experienced psychological distress, as well as depression (n=325, 23.5%), anxiety (n=195, 14.1%), and stress (n=309, 22.3%). Respondents who evaluated their physical health as average had a higher IES-R score (beta coefficient [B]=9.16, 95% CI 6.43 to 11.89), as well as higher depression (B=5.85, 95% CI 4.49 to 7.21), anxiety (B=3.64, 95% CI 2.64 to 4.63), and stress (B=5.19, 95% CI 3.83 to 6.56) scores for DASS-21 than those who rated their health as good or very good. Those who self-reported their health as bad or very bad experienced more severe depression (B=9.57, 95% CI 4.54 to 14.59), anxiety (B=7.24, 95% CI 3.55 to 10.9), and stress (B=10.60, 95% CI 5.56 to 15.65). Unemployment was more likely to be associated with depression (B=3.34, 95% CI 1.68 to 5.01) and stress (B=2.34, 95% CI 0.84 to 3.85). Regarding worries about COVID-19, more than half (n=755, 54.5%) expressed concern for their children aged &lt;18 years, which increased their IES-R score (B=7.81, 95% CI 4.98 to 10.64) and DASS-21 stress score (B=1.75, 95% CI 0.27 to 3.24). The majority of respondents (n=1335, 96.4%) were confident about their doctor’s expertise in terms of COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment, which was positively associated with less distress caused by the outbreak (B=–7.84, 95% CI –14.58 to –1.11). CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the effect of COVID-19 on mental health during the nationwide lockdown among the general population in Vietnam. The study provides useful evidence for policy decision makers to develop and implement interventions to mitigate these impacts. CLINICALTRIAL


Author(s):  
Hasan S. Alamri ◽  
Wesam F. Mousa ◽  
Abdullah Algarni ◽  
Shehata F. Megahid ◽  
Ali Al Bshabshe ◽  
...  

Objective: Little is known about the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) among the health care workers in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the psychological impact of COVID-19 among the health care workers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May till mid-July among 389 health care workers from government and private hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using a pre-structured online questionnaire that measured adverse psychological outcomes, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale. The Pearson chi-square test was used to assess the distribution of depression and anxiety among health care workers. Results: A high level of anxiety was recorded among the health care workers, and 69.3% of health care workers below the age of 40 were found to have depression. There was a significant increase in depression among staff with chronic health problems (72.1% vs. 61.9%; p = 0.048). High anxiety levels were detected among young staff compared to others (68.7% vs. 43.8%; p = 0.001). Moreover, 82.1% of the female staff were anxious, as compared to 55.6% of the males (p = 0.001). Conclusions: We found increased prevalence of adverse psychological outcomes among the health care workers in Saudi Arabia during the outbreak of COVID-19. Therefore, there is a need for proper screening and development of corresponding preventive measures to decrease the adverse psychological outcomes.


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