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Stoll V, Edwin N, Dahal K, Barnes JA, Pfautsch M, Maharjan L, Blavo C. Health Issues Among Nepalese Youth: A Literature Review. Cureus 2023; 15:e45108. [PMID: 37842493 PMCID: PMC10569343 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Nepal is one of the world's least-developed countries. Nepalese children are often vulnerable to a lack of resources which leads to suboptimal levels of health in turn. This review article aims to identify health issues and inequities faced by school-aged children greater than five years old in Nepal. A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted in PubMed and Global Health databases to gather relevant studies. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to select appropriate articles, and 35 full-length articles were reviewed in-depth. The literature supports the association between inadequate resource distribution among Nepalese children and poorer health outcomes compared to youth in developed countries. The key health issues of Nepalese youth identified in the literature consist of diarrheal illness, stunted growth, dental caries, visual impairment, poor mental health, and low health literacy. This review article aims to identify key health issues affecting Nepalese youth as well as propose interventions that can lead to an enhanced quality of life in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veenah Stoll
- Department of Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clearwater, USA
| | - Naomi Edwin
- Department of Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clearwater, USA
| | - Kripa Dahal
- Department of Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clearwater, USA
| | - John A Barnes
- Department of Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clearwater, USA
| | - Miranda Pfautsch
- Department of Global Health, International Health Initiatives, Inc., Clearwater, USA
| | - Lahana Maharjan
- Department of Public Health, Manmohan Memorial Institute of Health Sciences, Kathmandu, NPL
| | - Cyril Blavo
- Department of Public Health, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Clearwater, USA
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Zhao F, Tang B, Yang H, Wu J, Chen Q, Zhang L, Liu X. A comparative examination of the health status of earthquake-affected and non-earthquake-affected adolescents in Yushu. Front Public Health 2022; 10:976075. [PMID: 36388266 PMCID: PMC9645053 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.976075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Yushu, Qinghai Province, which is located in the remote Tibetan Plateau in western China, was struck by a disastrous earthquake in 2010. Methods This study aimed to compare the health status of adolescents who had (Exp-Group) and had not (Non-Group) experienced the Yushu earthquake, 7 years after it occurred; additionally, group-specific predictors of health status were identified. A cross-sectional study was adopted among students from two junior schools in Yushu, whereby two groups were compared. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, Kruskal-Wallis H tests, and stepwise linear regression were used to analyze data. Results Exp-Group scored higher than Non-Group on Physiological Component Summary (PCS) but not on Mental Component Summary (MCS). Among Exp-Group participants, lower PCS scores were predicted for "house damaged," "injured," "family member injured," and "family member or friend dead." Lower MCS scores were predicted by "family member or friend dead." Among Non-Group participants, PCS scores were predicted by "residence" and "family member or friend dead." Lower MCS scores were predicted by "not living with parents." Conclusion Lower PCS and MCS scores of Exp-Group adolescents mainly contributed to earthquake-related injuries, while lower PCS and MCS scores of Non-Group are related to poor living conditions and the fact of the left-behind child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangjie Zhao
- Department of Health Service, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bihan Tang
- Department of Health Service, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongyang Yang
- Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Wu
- School of Nursing, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qi Chen
- Department of Health Statistic, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lulu Zhang
- Department of Health Service, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Xu Liu
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Health Service, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China,Lulu Zhang
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Chirgwin H, Cairncross S, Zehra D, Sharma Waddington H. Interventions promoting uptake of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) technologies in low- and middle-income countries: An evidence and gap map of effectiveness studies. CAMPBELL SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2021; 17:e1194. [PMID: 36951806 PMCID: PMC8988822 DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Background Lack of access to and use of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) cause 1.6 million deaths every year, of which 1.2 million are due to gastrointestinal illnesses like diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections like pneumonia. Poor WASH access and use also diminish nutrition and educational attainment, and cause danger and stress for vulnerable populations, especially for women and girls. The hardest hit regions are sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 calls for the end of open defecation, and universal access to safely managed water and sanitation facilities, and basic hand hygiene, by 2030. WASH access and use also underpin progress in other areas such as SDG1 poverty targets, SDG3 health and SDG4 education targets. Meeting the SDG equity agenda to "leave none behind" will require WASH providers prioritise the hardest to reach including those living remotely and people who are disadvantaged. Objectives Decision makers need access to high-quality evidence on what works in WASH promotion in different contexts, and for different groups of people, to reach the most disadvantaged populations and thereby achieve universal targets. The WASH evidence map is envisioned as a tool for commissioners and researchers to identify existing studies to fill synthesis gaps, as well as helping to prioritise new studies where there are gaps in knowledge. It also supports policymakers and practitioners to navigate the evidence base, including presenting critically appraised findings from existing systematic reviews. Methods This evidence map presents impact evaluations and systematic reviews from the WASH sector, organised according to the types of intervention mechanisms, WASH technologies promoted, and outcomes measured. It is based on a framework of intervention mechanisms (e.g., behaviour change triggering or microloans) and outcomes along the causal pathway, specifically behavioural outcomes (e.g., handwashing and food hygiene practices), ill-health outcomes (e.g., diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality), nutrition and socioeconomic outcomes (e.g., school absenteeism and household income). The map also provides filters to examine the evidence for a particular WASH technology (e.g., latrines), place of use (e.g., home, school or health facility), location (e.g., global region, country, rural and urban) and group (e.g., people living with disability). Systematic searches for published and unpublished literature and trial registries were conducted of studies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Searches were conducted in March 2018, and searches for completed trials were done in May 2020. Coding of information for the map was done by two authors working independently. Impact evaluations were critically appraised according to methods of conduct and reporting. Systematic reviews were critically appraised using a new approach to assess theory-based, mixed-methods evidence synthesis. Results There has been an enormous growth in impact evaluations and systematic reviews of WASH interventions since the International Year of Sanitation, 2008. There are now at least 367 completed or ongoing rigorous impact evaluations in LMICs, nearly three-quarters of which have been conducted since 2008, plus 43 systematic reviews. Studies have been done in 83 LMICs, with a high concentration in Bangladesh, India, and Kenya. WASH sector programming has increasingly shifted in focus from what technology to supply (e.g., a handwashing station or child's potty), to the best way in which to do so to promote demand. Research also covers a broader set of intervention mechanisms. For example, there has been increased interest in behaviour change communication using psychosocial "triggering", such as social marketing and community-led total sanitation. These studies report primarily on behavioural outcomes. With the advent of large-scale funding, in particular by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, there has been a substantial increase in the number of studies on sanitation technologies, particularly latrines. Sustaining behaviour is fundamental for sustaining health and other quality of life improvements. However, few studies have been done of intervention mechanisms for, or measuring outcomes on sustained adoption of latrines to stop open defaecation. There has also been some increase in the number of studies looking at outcomes and interventions that disproportionately affect women and girls, who quite literally carry most of the burden of poor water and sanitation access. However, most studies do not report sex disaggregated outcomes, let alone integrate gender analysis into their framework. Other vulnerable populations are even less addressed; no studies eligible for inclusion in the map were done of interventions targeting, or reporting on outcomes for, people living with disabilities. We were only able to find a single controlled evaluation of WASH interventions in a health care facility, in spite of the importance of WASH in health facilities in global policy debates. The quality of impact evaluations has improved, such as the use of controlled designs as standard, attention to addressing reporting biases, and adequate cluster sample size. However, there remain important concerns about quality of reporting. The quality and usefulness of systematic reviews for policy is also improving, which draw clearer distinctions between intervention mechanisms and synthesise the evidence on outcomes along the causal pathway. Adopting mixed-methods approaches also provides information for programmes on barriers and enablers affecting implementation. Conclusion Ensuring everyone has access to appropriate water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities is one of the most fundamental of challenges for poverty elimination. Researchers and funders need to consider carefully where there is the need for new primary evidence, and new syntheses of that evidence. This study suggests the following priority areas:Impact evaluations incorporating understudied outcomes, such as sustainability and slippage, of WASH provision in understudied places of use, such as health care facilities, and of interventions targeting, or presenting disaggregated data for, vulnerable populations, particularly over the life-course and for people living with a disability;Improved reporting in impact evaluations, including presentation of participant flow diagrams; andSynthesis studies and updates in areas with sufficient existing and planned impact evaluations, such as for diarrhoea mortality, ARIs, WASH in schools and decentralisation. These studies will preferably be conducted as mixed-methods systematic reviews that are able to answer questions about programme targeting, implementation, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, and compare alternative intervention mechanisms to achieve and sustain outcomes in particular contexts, preferably using network meta-analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Chirgwin
- International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie)London International Development CentreLondonUK
| | | | | | - Hugh Sharma Waddington
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie)London International Development CentreLondonUK
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Shrestha A, Schindler C, Odermatt P, Gerold J, Erismann S, Sharma S, Koju R, Utzinger J, Cissé G. Nutritional and health status of children 15 months after integrated school garden, nutrition, and water, sanitation and hygiene interventions: a cluster-randomised controlled trial in Nepal. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:158. [PMID: 32013901 PMCID: PMC6998817 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-8027-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It has been suggested that specific interventions delivered through the education sector in low- and middle-income countries might improve children’s health and wellbeing. This cluster-randomised controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of a school garden programme and complementary nutrition, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions on children’s health and nutritional status in two districts of Nepal. Methods The trial included 682 children aged 8–17 years from 12 schools. The schools were randomly allocated to one of three interventions: (a) school garden programme (SG; 4 schools, n = 172 children); (b) school garden programme with complementary WASH, health and nutrition interventions (SG+; 4 schools, n = 197 children); and (c) no specific intervention (control; 4 schools, n = 313 children). The same field and laboratory procedures were employed at the baseline (March 2015) and end-line (June 2016) surveys. Questionnaires were administered to evaluate WASH conditions at schools and households. Water quality was assessed using a Delagua kit. Dietary intake was determined using food frequency and 24-h recall questionnaire. Haemoglobin levels were measured using HemoCue digital device and used as a proxy for anaemia. Stool samples were subjected to a suite of copro-microscopic diagnostic methods for detection of intestinal protozoa and helminths. The changes in key indicators between the baseline and end-line surveys were analysed by mixed logistic and linear regression models. Results Stunting was slightly lowered in SG+ (19.9 to 18.3%; p = 0.92) and in the control (19.7 to 18.9%). Anaemia slightly decreased in SG+ (33.0 to 32.0%; p < 0.01) and markedly increased in the control (22.7 to 41.3%; p < 0.01), a minor decline was found in the control (43.9 to 42.4%). Handwashing with soap before eating strongly increased in SG+ (from 74.1 to 96.9%; p = 0.01, compared to control where only a slight increase was observed from 78.0 to 84.0%). A similar observation was made for handwashing after defecation (increase from 77.2 to 99.0% in SG+ versus 78.0 to 91.9% in control, p = 0.15). Conclusions An integrated intervention consisting of school garden, WASH, nutrition and health components (SG+) increased children’s fruit and vegetable consumption, decreased intestinal parasitic infections and improved hygiene behaviours. Trial registration ISRCTN17968589 (date assigned: 17 July 2015).
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Affiliation(s)
- Akina Shrestha
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.,School of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal
| | - Christian Schindler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Odermatt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jana Gerold
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Séverine Erismann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Subodh Sharma
- School of Science, Aquatic Ecology Centre, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal
| | - Rajendra Koju
- School of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Guéladio Cissé
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.
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Shrestha A, Schindler C, Odermatt P, Gerold J, Erismann S, Sharma S, Koju R, Utzinger J, Cissé G. Intestinal parasite infections and associated risk factors among schoolchildren in Dolakha and Ramechhap districts, Nepal: a cross-sectional study. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:532. [PMID: 30268160 PMCID: PMC6162948 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-3105-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Infections with soil-transmitted helminths and pathogenic intestinal protozoa pose a considerable public health burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, including Nepal. We assessed the extent of intestinal parasite infections among schoolchildren in two districts of Nepal and determined underlying risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted between March and May 2015 in the districts of Dolakha and Ramechhap, Nepal. A total of 708 children, aged 8–16 years from 16 purposively selected schools, were enrolled. Each child provided a single stool sample that was subjected to a suite of copro-microscopic diagnoses for intestinal protozoa and helminths. Drinking water samples from different sources at schools (n = 29), community places (n = 43) and households (n = 562) were analysed for contamination with thermotolerant coliforms (TTC). A questionnaire was administered to determine individual- and household-level risk factors of intestinal parasite infections. Self-reported symptoms were assessed and a clinical examination was undertaken by a physician. Haemoglobin was measured and used as a proxy for anaemia. Mixed logistic regression models were applied to investigate associations. Results The overall prevalence of intestinal parasite infections was 39.7%. Trichuris trichiura (30.9%), Giardia intestinalis (30.5%) and hookworm (30.2%) were the predominant intestinal parasite infections. Children from households lacking soap for handwashing were at higher odds of intestinal parasite infections than children who had soap [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.81; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13–2.89; P = 0.01]. Children from households without freely roaming domestic animals showed lower odds of G. intestinalis compared to children from households with freely roaming animals (aOR 0.52; 95% CI: 0.33–0.83; P = 0.01). One out of three (31.0%) children suffered from fever and 22.4% had watery diarrhoea within a two-week recall period. Anaemia was diagnosed in 23.6% of the children. Water contamination with TTC showed no clear association with intestinal parasite infection. Conclusions Intestinal parasites are common among schoolchildren in the two surveyed districts of Nepal. An important risk factor was lack of soap for handwashing. Our findings call for efforts to control intestinal parasite infection and emphasis should be placed on improvements in water, sanitation and hygiene interventions. Trial registration ISRCTN17968589 (date assigned: 17 July 2015). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-3105-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akina Shrestha
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.,Kathmandu University, School of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 11008, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Christian Schindler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Odermatt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jana Gerold
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Séverine Erismann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Subodh Sharma
- Kathmandu University, School of Science, Aquatic Ecology Centre, P.O. Box 6250, Dhulikhel, Nepal
| | - Rajendra Koju
- Kathmandu University, School of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 11008, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Guéladio Cissé
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.
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Erismann S, Diagbouga S, Schindler C, Odermatt P, Knoblauch AM, Gerold J, Leuenberger A, Shrestha A, Tarnagda G, Utzinger J, Cissé G. School Children's Intestinal Parasite and Nutritional Status One Year after Complementary School Garden, Nutrition, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Interventions in Burkina Faso. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017; 97:904-913. [PMID: 28722585 PMCID: PMC5590586 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The potential health benefits of combined agricultural, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions are poorly understood. We aimed to determine whether complementary school garden, nutrition, and WASH interventions reduce intestinal parasites and improve school children's nutritional status in two regions of Burkina Faso. A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Plateau Central and Center-Ouest regions of Burkina Faso. A total of 360 randomly selected children, aged 8-15 years, had complete baseline and end-line survey data. Mixed regression models were used to assess the impact of the interventions, controlling for baseline characteristics. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections decreased both in intervention and control schools, but the decrease was significantly higher in the intervention schools related to the control schools (odds ratio [OR] of the intervention effect = 0.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.1-0.5). Indices of undernutrition did not decrease at end-line in intervention schools. Safe handwashing practices before eating and the use of latrines at schools were significantly higher in the intervention schools than in the control schools at end-line (OR = 6.9, 95% CI = 1.4-34.4, and OR = 14.9, 95% CI = 1.4-153.9, respectively). Parameters of water quality remained unchanged. A combination of agricultural, nutritional, and WASH-related interventions embedded in the social-ecological systems and delivered through the school platform improved several child health outcomes, including intestinal parasitic infections and some WASH-related behaviors. Sustained interventions with stronger household and community-based components are, however, needed to improve school children's health in the long-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Séverine Erismann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Serge Diagbouga
- Institut de Recherches en Sciences de la Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Christian Schindler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Odermatt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Astrid M. Knoblauch
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jana Gerold
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Leuenberger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Akina Shrestha
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal
| | - Grissoum Tarnagda
- Institut de Recherches en Sciences de la Santé, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Guéladio Cissé
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Erismann S, Knoblauch AM, Diagbouga S, Odermatt P, Gerold J, Shrestha A, Tarnagda G, Savadogo B, Schindler C, Utzinger J, Cissé G. Prevalence and risk factors of undernutrition among schoolchildren in the Plateau Central and Centre-Ouest regions of Burkina Faso. Infect Dis Poverty 2017; 6:17. [PMID: 28100278 PMCID: PMC5244543 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-016-0230-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple factors determine children's nutritional status, including energy and nutrient intake, recurrent infectious diseases, access (or lack thereof) to clean water and improved sanitation, and hygiene practices, among others. The "Vegetables go to School: improving nutrition through agricultural diversification" (VgtS) project implements an integrated school garden programme in five countries, including Burkina Faso. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of undernutrition and its risk factors among schoolchildren in Burkina Faso before the start of the project. METHODS In February 2015, a cross-sectional survey was carried out among 455 randomly selected children, aged 8-14 years, in eight schools in the Plateau Central and Centre-Ouest regions of Burkina Faso. Nutritional status was determined by anthropometric assessment. Helminth and intestinal protozoa infections were assessed using the Kato-Katz and a formalin-ether concentration method. A urine filtration technique was used to identify Schistosoma haematobium eggs. Prevalence of anaemia was determined by measuring haemoglobin levels in finger-prick blood samples. Questionnaires were administered to children to determine their knowledge of nutrition and health and their related attitudes and practices (KAP). Questionnaires were also administered to the children's caregivers to identify basic household socio-demographic and economic characteristics, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) conditions. To determine the factors associated with schoolchildren's nutritional status, mixed logistic regression models were used. Differences and associations were considered statistically significant if P-values were below 0.05. RESULTS Complete datasets were available for 385 children. The prevalence of undernutrition, stunting and thinness were 35.1%, 29.4% and 11.2%, respectively. The multivariable analysis revealed that undernutrition was associated with older age (i.e. 12-14 years compared to <12 years; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.12-5.62, P < 0.001), multiple pathogenic parasitic infections (aOR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.02-3.43, P = 0.044) and with moderate and severe anaemia in children (aOR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.25-5.08, P = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS We found high prevalence of undernutrition among the children surveyed in the two study regions of Burkina Faso. We further observed that undernutrition, anaemia and parasitic infections were strongly associated. In view of these findings, concerted efforts are needed to address undernutrition and associated risk factors among school-aged children. As part of the VgtS project, WASH, health education and nutritional interventions will be implemented with the goal to improve children's health. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN17968589 (date assigned: 17 July 2015).
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Affiliation(s)
- Séverine Erismann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Astrid M Knoblauch
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Serge Diagbouga
- Institut de Recherches en Sciences de la Santé, P.O. Box 7192, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
| | - Peter Odermatt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jana Gerold
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Akina Shrestha
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
- Kathmandu University, P.O. Box 6250, 45200, Dhulikhel, Nepal
| | - Grissoum Tarnagda
- Institut de Recherches en Sciences de la Santé, P.O. Box 7192, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
| | - Boubacar Savadogo
- Institut de Recherches en Sciences de la Santé, P.O. Box 7192, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso
| | - Christian Schindler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Guéladio Cissé
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.
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Shrestha A, Sharma S, Gerold J, Erismann S, Sagar S, Koju R, Schindler C, Odermatt P, Utzinger J, Cissé G. Water Quality, Sanitation, and Hygiene Conditions in Schools and Households in Dolakha and Ramechhap Districts, Nepal: Results from A Cross-Sectional Survey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14010089. [PMID: 28106779 PMCID: PMC5295339 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14010089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Revised: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This study assessed drinking water quality, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions among 708 schoolchildren and 562 households in Dolakha and Ramechhap districts of Nepal. Cross-sectional surveys were carried out in March and June 2015. A Delagua water quality testing kit was employed on 634 water samples obtained from 16 purposively selected schools, 40 community water sources, and 562 households to examine water quality. A flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to test lead and arsenic content of the same samples. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain WASH predictors. A total of 75% of school drinking water source samples and 76.9% point-of-use samples (water bottles) at schools, 39.5% water source samples in the community, and 27.4% point-of-use samples at household levels were contaminated with thermo-tolerant coliforms. The values of water samples for pH (6.8–7.6), free and total residual chlorine (0.1–0.5 mg/L), mean lead concentration (0.01 mg/L), and mean arsenic concentration (0.05 mg/L) were within national drinking water quality standards. The presence of domestic animals roaming inside schoolchildren’s homes was significantly associated with drinking water contamination (adjusted odds ratio: 1.64; 95% confidence interval: 1.08–2.50; p = 0.02). Our findings call for an improvement of WASH conditions at the unit of school, households, and communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akina Shrestha
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland.
- School of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu University, P.O. Box 11008, Dhulikhel, Nepal.
| | - Subodh Sharma
- Aquatic Ecology Centre, School of Science, Kathmandu University, P.O. Box 6250, Dhulikhel, Nepal.
| | - Jana Gerold
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Séverine Erismann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Sanjay Sagar
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Rajendra Koju
- School of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu University, P.O. Box 11008, Dhulikhel, Nepal.
| | - Christian Schindler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Peter Odermatt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Guéladio Cissé
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, P.O. Box, CH-4002 Basel, Switzerland.
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, CH-4001 Basel, Switzerland.
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Erismann S, Shrestha A, Diagbouga S, Knoblauch A, Gerold J, Herz R, Sharma S, Schindler C, Odermatt P, Drescher A, Yang RY, Utzinger J, Cissé G. Erratum to: Complementary school garden, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene interventions to improve children’s nutrition and health status in Burkina Faso and Nepal: a study protocol. BMC Public Health 2016; 16:522. [PMID: 27381239 PMCID: PMC4932700 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3134-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Erismann S, Diagbouga S, Odermatt P, Knoblauch AM, Gerold J, Shrestha A, Grissoum T, Kaboré A, Schindler C, Utzinger J, Cissé G. Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated risk factors among schoolchildren in the Plateau Central and Centre-Ouest regions of Burkina Faso. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:554. [PMID: 27756339 PMCID: PMC5069922 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1835-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Unsafe drinking water, unimproved sanitation and lack of hygiene pose health risks, particularly to children in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections in school-aged children in two regions of Burkina Faso. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out in February 2015 with 385 children aged 8–14 years from eight randomly selected schools in the Plateau Central and Centre-Ouest regions of Burkina Faso. Stool samples were subjected to the Kato-Katz and a formalin-ether concentration method for the diagnosis of helminths and intestinal protozoa infections. Urine samples were examined with a urine filtration technique for Schistosoma haematobium eggs. Water samples from community sources (n = 37), children’s households (n = 95) and children’s drinking water cups (n = 113) were analysed for contamination with coliform bacteria and faecal streptococci. Data on individual and family-level risk factors were obtained using a questionnaire. Mixed logistic regression models were employed to determine factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections in schoolchildren. Results Intestinal parasitic infections were highly prevalent; 84.7 % of the children harboured intestinal protozoa, while helminth infections were diagnosed in 10.7 % of the children. We found significantly lower odds of pathogenic intestinal protozoa infection (Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar and Giardia intestinalis) among children from the Plateau Central, compared to the Centre-Ouest region (P < 0.001). Children from households with “freely roaming domestic animals” (P = 0.008), particularly dogs (P = 0.016) showed higher odds of G. intestinalis, and children reporting exposure to freshwater sources through domestic chores had higher odds of S. haematobium infection compared to children without this water contact activity (P = 0.035). Water quality, household drinking water source and storage did not emerge as significant risk factors for intestinal parasitic infections in children. Conclusions Intestinal protozoa but not helminths were highly prevalent among schoolchildren in randomly selected schools in two regions of Burkina Faso. Our findings call for specific public health measures tailored to school-aged children and rural communities in this part of Burkina Faso. It will be interesting to assess the effect of water, sanitation and hygiene interventions on the transmission of intestinal parasitic infections. Trial registration ISRCTN17968589 (date assigned: 17 July 2015). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1835-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Séverine Erismann
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Serge Diagbouga
- Institut de Recherches en Sciences de la Santé, P.O. Box 7192, Ouagadougou, 03, Burkina Faso
| | - Peter Odermatt
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Astrid M Knoblauch
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jana Gerold
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Akina Shrestha
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.,Kathmandu University, P.O. Box 6250, 45200, Dhulikhel, Nepal
| | - Tarnagda Grissoum
- Institut de Recherches en Sciences de la Santé, P.O. Box 7192, Ouagadougou, 03, Burkina Faso
| | - Aminata Kaboré
- Institut de Recherches en Sciences de la Santé, P.O. Box 7192, Ouagadougou, 03, Burkina Faso
| | - Christian Schindler
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Guéladio Cissé
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, P.O. Box, CH-4002, Basel, Switzerland. .,University of Basel, P.O. Box, CH-4003, Basel, Switzerland.
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