Intestinal parasitic infections and urbanization (original) (raw)
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Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are neglected diseases with limited data regarding prevalence in Brazil and many other countries. In increasingly urban societies, investigating the profile and socioenvironmental determinants of IPIs in the general population of slum dwellers is necessary for establishing appropriate public policies catered to these environments. This study assessed the socioenvironmental conditions and prevalence of IPIs in slums of Rio de Janeiro, RJ State, Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study covering an agglomeration of urban slums was conducted between 2015 and 2016 using participants observation, a socioeconomic survey, and the spontaneous sedimentation method with three slides per sample to analyze fresh stool specimens (n=595) searching for intestinal parasites. Results: Endolimax nana (n=95, 16.0%) and Entamoeba coli (n=65, 10.9%) were the most frequently identified agents, followed by Giardia intestinalis (n=24, 4.0%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (n=11, 1.8%). Coinfections caused by E. nana and E. histolytica/dispar and by Entamoeba coli/A. lumbricoides were significant. The use of piped water as drinking water, the presence of A. lumbricoides, and contamination with coliform bacteria and Escherichia coli were more common in major area (MA) 1. Children (0-19 years) had a greater chance of living in poverty (OR 3.36; 95% CI: 2.50-4.52; p <0.001) which was pervasive. The predominance of protozoa parasites suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach focusing on preventive chemotherapy for soil-transmitted helminths is not appropriate for all communities in developing countries. It is important that both residents and health professionals consider the socioenvironmental conditions of urban slums when assessing intestinal parasitic infections for disease control and health promotion initiatives.
Afro-Egyptian Journal of Infectious and Endemic Diseases/Afro-Egyptian Journal of Infectious and Endemic Diseases, 2024
Background and study aim: : Intestinal parasitic diseases are quite common especially in developing countries leading to various adverse outcomes in children such as abdominal colic, anemia, mental retardation and reduced physical growth. Therefore, the current study aims to determine the frequency of intestinal parasite infection among patients attending our hospital. Patients and Methods: A total of 1762 patients whose stool samples were tested in the parasitology laboratory of Microbiology department for routine stool microscopy during the study period of 4 years (January 2016 to December 2019). Stool samples were examined microscopically by direct wet mount and following formalin-ether sedimentation technique. Results: 334 out of 1762 stool samples revealed presence of parasites, hence, the frequency of intestinal parasitic infection was found to be 18.9%. The commonest parasite identified was Ascaris lumbricoides (37%), followed by Taenia species (16%), and least detected parasite was Enterobius vermicularis (3.5%). Males were infected more (57.5%) as compared to females. Also, mixed parasitic infection was more commonly found in males as compared to females (M: F=5:1). Conclusion: Intestinal parasitic infection causes severe morbidity especially in children. So, for its effective prevention and control, one needs to impart health education regarding improvement of environmental sanitation, promotion of deworming and maintenance of good personal hygiene.
Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among urban dwellers in southwest Ethiopia
Ethiopian Journal of Health Development, 2007
Background: Intestinal parasitic infections cause serious public health problem in Ethiopia. They are more prevalent in the poor segments of the population with low household income, poor handling of personal and environmental sanitation, overcrowding and limited access to clean water. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude and pattern of intestinal parasitism in urban communities of southwest Ethiopia. Methods: This community-based, cross-sectional study was undertaken in Jimma town from October 2004-January 2005. Study subjects were selected using systematic sampling method. Data were gathered through house to house survey using standardized questionnaire. Stool specimens were examined microscopically for the presence of parasite eggs, cysts and trophozoites using direct saline thin smear and formol-ether concentration methods. Results: Of the total, 754 (83%) had one or more intestinal parasitic infections. T. trichiura, A. lumbricoides and S. mansoni were detected in single infection in 124 (16.4%), 44 (5.8%) and 11 (1.5%) of the infected study subjects, respectively. Polyparasitism was found in 515 (56.7%) of the total examined. Up to 5 parasites were detected in some individuals. T. trichiura with A. lumbricoides, hookworm and S. mansoni constituted 102 (13.5%), 33 (4.3%) and 17 (2.2%) of the double infections, respectively. H. nana and S. mansoni predominantly affected males than females (P<0.05). The prevalence of Giardia trophozites and H. nana were significantly higher in preschool children than other age groups (P<0.05). Higher proportions of teenagers were infected by A. lumbricoides and S. mansoni. Taeniasis was also dominant in teenagers. Conclusion: Intestinal parasitosis is highly prevalent in the study area. Public education on how to handle personal hygiene and proper use of latrines should be given to reduce the prevalence of infection.
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, 2007
Purpose: Urban slums are well known for their high infant mortality and morbidity rates, and parasitic infections seem to be a common problem among these children. The aim of the present study was to determine protozoa and nematodes prevalence among children of a selected community located in Sa˜o Paulo, Brazil, and access the relation between soil and children infection. Methods: Soil contamination samples from 15 strategic locations in the slum area as well as stool samples (examined for protozoa and nematodes through five different methods) from 120 children aged 2-14 years (49% M: 51% F, mean AE SD ¼ 7.9 AE 3.8 years) were assessed in a cross-sectional study. Children's domicile locations were determined, and a comparative analysis was undertaken to correlate children and soil infection. Results: Overall infection rate was 30.8% (n ¼ 37), without difference between genders. The most frequent intestinal protozoa were Endolimax nana (20.8%), Entamoeba coli (15.8%) and Giardia lamblia (16.7%). Frequencies of Ascaris lumbricoides and Enterobius vermicularis in stool samples were 2.5 and 1.7%, respectively. No cases of hookworms, Schistosoma mansoni or Tricuris trichiura were identified. Polyparasitism occurred in 10.8% of the children, while 69.2% were free of parasitic infections. Out of the 15 soil samples analyzed, Ascaris sp. eggs were found in 20% and hookworm eggs in 6.7%. Conclusion: Helminth infection is not as prevalent as previously reported in urban slums in Sa˜o Paulo, neither as clinical disease nor in soil samples. Protozoa intestinal infection, however, is still frequent in some marginalized populations in Sa˜o Paulo. Improvement in living standards, mostly sanitation might decrease the prevalence of these diseases.
PLOS One, 2008
BackgroundIntestinal parasitic infections are endemic worldwide and have been described as constituting the greatest single worldwide cause of illness and disease. Poverty, illiteracy, poor hygiene, lack of access to potable water and hot and humid tropical climate are the factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections. The study aimed to estimate prevalence and identify factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections among
OALib, 2014
Background: There is a paucity of knowledge on the epidemiology of parasitic diseases which remain rampant in the Dschang municipality. Three communities around Dschang town-Ngui (slummy), Paidground (heterogeneous) and the Administrative Quarter-AQ (wealthy) were investigated to highlight the aetiology of intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) in children in order to enhance health policy intervention priorities. Methods: Between July and November 2009, 31 stools amples were collected from children aged six months to 18 years (mean 9 years) in 295 households across the three communities. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic characteristics, source of water supply, de-worming practice and treatment history. Stool samples were screened for ova/larvae of intestinal parasites using direct wet mount, brine floatation and formol-ether sedimentation methods. Results from stool tests and information obtained from questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS. Results: In total, 223 (26.8%) children had single (19.9%) and multiple (7%) infections from seven parasites: the overall prevalence was 34.7%; helminthes 19.3% and protozoa 15.4% (χ 2 = 4.3, P < 0.0380); corresponding to Entamoeba histolytica 8.8%, Ascaris lumbricoides 7.5%, Trichuris trichiura 6.8%, Entamoeba coli (5.8%), hookworm 4.6%, Giardia lamblia 0.8% and Vampirolepis (Syn: Hymenolepis) nana 0.4%. Infections were more severe and rates significantly higher in Ngui (45.9%, χ 2 = 86.83, P < 0.0001) than in the AQ (17.7%) and Paidground (16.7%), and in the oldest children above 15 years (55.3%, χ 2 = 111.97, P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Regular sustained synchronized deworming alongside antiprotozoaics, periodic diSagnostics for all children and slummed residents which lend to intestinal protozoa; sanitary inspection of homes and water supplies; adequate drainage and community wastes disposal; and prevention education on hygiene, sanitation, safe water and health were desirable.
Research Square (Research Square), 2021
There is paucity of studies at community level on prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among under eighteen years age group. This cross-sectional community-based research aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal worm infections and its associated risk factors among 1 to 18 years age group in Puducherry, India. Sociodemographic, behavioral and other associated factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. One stool sample was collected from each participant and examined using direct (saline/iodine wet mount) and concentration (oatation/sedimentation) microscopic techniques. Log binomial regression analysis was used to nd the factors independently associated with intestinal parasitic infection. Of 187 participants who provided the stool sample, 25 (13.4%) had at least one of the parasitic infections and among them 12 (6.4%) had Soil Transmitted Helminth infection (STH) and 13 (6.9%) had intestinal protozoan parasites. Parasitic infection is marginally higher among 1 to 7 years age group (14.4%) compared to 8 to 18 years age group (12.1%). After adjusting for confounding, urban residence (APR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.4-8.0) and open-air defecation (APR = 3.3, 95 % CI 1.4-7.5) were signi cantly associated with intestinal parasitic infections. One out of eight children had any of the parasitic infection and nearly 50% of parasitic infections were caused by STH. Those children residing in urban areas and practice of open-air defecation had higher prevalence of parasitic infection.
Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2024
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are endemic worldwide and more prevalent in countries with unhygienic conditions. The objective of the research was to identify the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in rural and urban areas of Quetta, Balochistan and to check their associated risk factors including; age, gender, educational status, sanitary system and any other immunodeficiency. For this instance 204 stool samples were collected from the urban and rural population of Quetta, Balochistan. The participants with positive results for Intestinal Parasitic Infections were interviewed using close-ended questionnaire. From the findings of this study, it has been revealed that prevalence of Intestinal parasitic infections in rural and urban areas was 21%. Males were found more prevalent (66%) as compared to females (34%) due to higher risk of contacting to outer environment. The prevalence was higher in rural areas (23%). The most prevalent intestinal parasite was Entamoeba histolytica (48%). Other prevailing parasites were Hymenolepis nana (26%), Giardia Intestinalis (17%), Trichomonas hominis (5%) and Trichuris trichiura (5%). The majority of patients were having lower socioeconomic (52%) and educational status (48%). Educational status of 48% patients was primary or below primary. Most of the participants with positive results did not have hand washing habit (62%) and didn't have the closed sanitary system (71%). The intestinal parasitic infections were more prevalent among children aged from 1-10 (33%). This may be a result of poor hygiene in children. The study will contribute to lower down the prevalence in the studied areas by the application of different preventive measures in future.
A STUDY ON THE INTESTINAL WORM INFECTION IN CENTRAL URBAN COMMUNITY, KANO STATE NIGERIA
Journal of Global Agriculture and Ecology, 2021
Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are highly prevalent in developing countries, particularly in the tropics, and pose serious medical and public health problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over two billion people are infected with one or more types of soil-transmitted intestinal parasites. Infection in man is by parasites belonging to either the nematodes (round worm) or platyhelminthes (flat worm) phylum. Identifying the most at risk group and subsequent targeted intervention will lead to cost effective and easy to implement control programme. We thus aim to determine the prevalence and pattern of intestinal parasite among different groups in urban community. Method: This was a cross-sectional survey. Participants were recruited through multistage stratified random sampling. Information were collected using a questionnaire and early morning freshly passed stool sample was collected and processed from each particiant, 149 children were randomly selected from Gwale and Dala Local Government Area, Kano State, Nigeria, between February and September, 2020. Faecal samples were collected from these subjects. Direct saline and iodine preparations were examined as well as the preparation from sedimentation technique. The Kato-katz technique was used for determination of intensity of worm infection. Result: 96 (64.43%) school children were infected. Ascaris lumbricoides,hook worm, Schistosoma mansoni, Hymenolepis nana and T. trichiura were the intestinal parasites found in the study population. Outof the infected children, 30 (36%) were positive for A. lumbricoides, 21 (25%) werepositive for E. histolytica, 14 (18%) were positive for Schistosoma mansoni, 12 (13%) were positive for Hymenolepis nana and7 (8%) were positive forT. Trichiura. The age groups of 5-7 years is having the highiest prevalence of 19.79%, while those of the age group 20-22 having 7.29% of intestinal parasites. The overall infection rate in males and females were 40.62% and 59.38% respectively, which implies that infection rate was higher in females but not statistically significant (P>0.05). The differences observed in the infection rates in the study locations were also not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion Intestinal parasitic infection remains a very common problem among children in urban centers in Nigeria with the highest burden among children. We recommend incorporation and provision of free anthelminthic to all children, while addressing the major risk factors in the society.