1
|
Parker W, Jirků K, Patel E, Williamson L, Anderson L, Laman JD. Reevaluating Biota Alteration: Reframing Environmental Influences on Chronic Immune Disorders and Exploring Novel Therapeutic Opportunities. THE YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2024; 97:253-263. [PMID: 38947109 PMCID: PMC11202117 DOI: 10.59249/vunf1315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Environmental mismatches are defined as changes in the environment that induce public health crises. Well known mismatches leading to chronic disease include the availability of technologies that facilitate unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles, both factors that adversely affect cardiovascular health. This commentary puts these mismatches in context with biota alteration, an environmental mismatch involving hygiene-related technologies necessary for avoidance of infectious disease. Implementation of hygiene-related technologies causes a loss of symbiotic helminths and protists, profoundly affecting immune function and facilitating a variety of chronic conditions, including allergic disorders, autoimmune diseases, and several inflammation-associated neuropsychiatric conditions. Unfortunately, despite an established understanding of the biology underpinning this and other environmental mismatches, public health agencies have failed to stem the resulting tide of increased chronic disease burden. Both biomedical research and clinical practice continue to focus on an ineffective and reactive pharmaceutical-based paradigm. It is argued that the healthcare of the future could take into account the biology of today, effectively and proactively dealing with environmental mismatch and the resulting chronic disease burden.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William Parker
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University
of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- WPLab, Inc., Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kateřina Jirků
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech
Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | | | - Lauren Williamson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Kentucky
University, Highland Heights, KY, USA
| | | | - Jon D. Laman
- Department of Pathology & Medical Biology,
University Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The
Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Agrawal R, Pattnaik S, Kshatri JS, Kanungo S, Mandal N, Palo SK, Pati S. Prevalence and correlates of soil-transmitted helminths in schoolchildren aged 5 to 18 years in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1283054. [PMID: 38577281 PMCID: PMC10991833 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1283054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background According to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 report, up to 1.5 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are lost due to soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), and 5.9 million people are at risk of acquiring STHs. Regions with the highest prevalence of STH infections include Sub-Saharan Africa, China, South America, and Asia. While there are numerous fragmented studies on STH, comprehensive information on the prevalence and geographic distribution of different species, as well as their regional variations in the context of STHs is limited. The present systematic review and meta-analysis study attempts to provide a summary of the prevalence, geographical variation, and determinants of STHs among schoolchildren aged 5 to 18 years. Methods An extensive literature search was carried out using PubMed, Embase, Cinhal, and Psychinfo for studies published between 1999 and 2022 that reported the rate of STH infection in school-going children aged 5-18 years. A random effects model was employed in this meta-analysis due to expected heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis was carried out based on sex and STH species because of expected geographical variation. Results A total of 19,725 of the 49,630 children examined were infected with STH, yielding an overall pooled prevalence of 37.16% (95% CI: 29.74-44.89). The prevalence was highest in the Western Pacific region at 50.41% (95% CI: 33.74-67.04) followed by Europe at 39.74% (95% CI: 20.40-61.0) and Africa at 37.10% (95% CI: 26.84-47.95). Ascaris lumbricoides was found to be the most prevalent helminth with a prevalence of 24.07% (95% CI: 17.07-31.83). Conclusion The Western Pacific region is classified as a High-risk Zone (HRZ), while Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Eastern Mediterranean are classified as moderate-risk zones (MRZs). We found a 12% reduction in the pooled prevalence of STH infection from 1999 to 2012. Ascaris lumbricoides was the predominant species among schoolchildren. Mass Drug Administration (MDA) of Albendazole tablets and improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices are effective in controlling and preventing STH. Ensuring their implementation and access is crucial to addressing the problem. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#loginpage, CRD42022333341.
Collapse
|
3
|
Bibi S, Kamran M, Ahmad H, Bibi K, Naqvi SKUH, Zuo Q, Shah NA, Cao J. Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding Taeniasis in Pakistan. Diseases 2023; 11:95. [PMID: 37489447 PMCID: PMC10366766 DOI: 10.3390/diseases11030095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Taeniasis is a neglected zoonotic disease responsible for serious health disorders, such as seizures, and may even cause death. Humans are the definitive host for the three species Taenia solium (pork tapeworm), T. saginata (beef tapeworm), and T. asiatica, harboring the adult tapeworm in the small intestine. In this study, a structured questionnaire was circulated to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) regarding taeniasis among the rural and urban communities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. A total of 770 individuals participated in the study. Of the total respondents, 44.4% had little knowledge about the disease and its impact, while the majority (70%) of respondents showed a willingness to participate in elimination campaigns by providing fecal samples. Most respondents kept raw meat separated from clean utensils (81.6%) and checked the internal temperature of meat when cooking it (75.1%). Regression analysis showed a significant association between age and knowledge, especially in the 20-30 years (p < 0.05; OR 0.574) and 30 to 40 years (p < 0.05; OR 0.553) age groups, and being a resident in Rawalpindi (p < 0.05; OR 0.68) and other cities (p < 0.05; OR 2.43), except Islamabad. Income ranges of 31,000-50,000 PKR (p < 0.05; OR: 0.574), 51,000-70,000 PKR (p < 0.05; OR 0.531), and above 70,000 PKR (p < 0.05; OR 0.42) were significantly related to attitude, compared with individuals with incomes of 10,000-30,000 PKR. Income above 70,000 PKR (p < 0.05; OR 0.87) and living in an urban area (p < 0.05; OR 0.616) compared to a rural area were significant with practices. A positive attitude was observed regarding awareness and prevention of the disease. Awareness campaigns and providing health education could be key approaches to manage this disease in the general population of developing countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saba Bibi
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Chak Shahzad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Kamran
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Chak Shahzad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Islamabad Medical and Dental College, Islamabad 45400, Pakistan
| | - Haroon Ahmad
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Chak Shahzad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Kainat Bibi
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Chak Shahzad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Syed Kamran Ul Hassan Naqvi
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Chak Shahzad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Qingqiu Zuo
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Shanghai 200025, China
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Shanghai 200025, China
- WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Naseer Ali Shah
- Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Park Road, Chak Shahzad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan
| | - Jianping Cao
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Shanghai 200025, China
- Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, Shanghai 200025, China
- WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, China
- The School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Russel WA, Perry J, Bonzani C, Dontino A, Mekonnen Z, Ay A, Taye B. Feature selection and association rule learning identify risk factors of malnutrition among Ethiopian schoolchildren. FRONTIERS IN EPIDEMIOLOGY 2023; 3:1150619. [PMID: 38455884 PMCID: PMC10910994 DOI: 10.3389/fepid.2023.1150619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Introduction Previous studies have sought to identify risk factors for malnutrition in populations of schoolchildren, depending on traditional logistic regression methods. However, holistic machine learning (ML) approaches are emerging that may provide a more comprehensive analysis of risk factors. Methods This study employed feature selection and association rule learning ML methods in conjunction with logistic regression on epidemiological survey data from 1,036 Ethiopian school children. Our first analysis used the entire dataset and then we reran this analysis on age, residence, and sex population subsets. Results Both logistic regression and ML methods identified older childhood age as a significant risk factor, while females and vaccinated individuals showed reduced odds of stunting. Our machine learning analyses provided additional insights into the data, as feature selection identified that age, school latrine cleanliness, large family size, and nail trimming habits were significant risk factors for stunting, underweight, and thinness. Association rule learning revealed an association between co-occurring hygiene and socio-economical variables with malnutrition that was otherwise missed using traditional statistical methods. Discussion Our analysis supports the benefit of integrating feature selection methods, association rules learning techniques, and logistic regression to identify comprehensive risk factors associated with malnutrition in young children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William A. Russel
- Department of Biology, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, United States
| | - Jim Perry
- Department of Computer Science, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, United States
| | - Claire Bonzani
- Department of Mathematics, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, United States
| | - Amanda Dontino
- Department of Biology, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, United States
| | - Zeleke Mekonnen
- Institute of Health, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Ahmet Ay
- Department of Biology, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, United States
- Department of Mathematics, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, United States
| | - Bineyam Taye
- Department of Biology, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Belay S, Alemu G, Hailu T. Performance Evaluation of Three Diagnostic Methods for Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections among Schoolchildren in Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia. J Trop Med 2023; 2023:9697165. [PMID: 37404706 PMCID: PMC10317582 DOI: 10.1155/2023/9697165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Soil-transmitted helminths are parasitic nematodes found in the intestine. They are more prevalent in the tropics and subtropics, including Ethiopia. However, low-sensitive direct wet mount microscopy fails to detect soil-transmitted helminths among infected cases. Therefore, more sensitive and cost-effective diagnostic methods are urgently needed to minimize soil-transmitted helminthiasis morbidity. Objective This study aimed to compare and evaluate the performance of diagnostic methods for soil-transmitted helminths against the "gold" standard. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 421 schoolchildren from May to July, 2022 in the Amhara Region. Study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Stool samples were processed via Kato-Katz, McMaster, and spontaneous tube sedimentation techniques. Data were entered into epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated against the combined result as a "gold" standard. The strength of agreement between the diagnostic methods was determined by the Kappa value. Results The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths was 32.8% (95% CI: 28.2-37.8%) using a combination of methods. The detection rates of Kato-Katz, McMaster, and spontaneous tube sedimentation were 28.5% (95% CI: 24.2-33.2%), 30% (95% CI: 25.6-34.8%), and 30.5% (95% CI: 26.1-35.3%), respectively. Sensitivity and negative predictive values were 87.1% (95% CI: 80.2-92.3%) and 95.1% (95% CI: 92.6-96.8%) for Kato-Katz; 91.7% (95% CI: 85.6-95.6%) and 96.5% (95% CI: 94.1-98.0%) for McMaster; and 93.2% (95% CI: 87.5-96.8%) and 97.1% (95% CI: 94.7-98.4%) for spontaneous tube sedimentation. Kappa values of Kato-Katz, McMaster, and spontaneous tube sedimentation for the diagnosis of soil-transmitted helminths were 0.901, 0.937, and 0.948, respectively. Conclusion Kato-Katz, McMaster, and spontaneous tube sedimentation techniques had comparable sensitivity with almost perfect agreement for the detection of soil-transmitted helminths. Therefore, the spontaneous tube sedimentation technique can be used as an alternative diagnostic method for soil-transmitted helminth infections in endemic countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shegaw Belay
- Amhara National Regional State Health Bureau, Bahir Dar Health Science College, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Getaneh Alemu
- Departments of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Tadesse Hailu
- Departments of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yahia SH, Etewa SE, Al Hoot AAA, Arafa SZ, Saleh NS, Sarhan MH, Rashad SI, Hassan SS. Investigating the Occurrence of Soil-Transmitted Parasites Contaminating Soil, Vegetables, and Green Fodder in the East of Nile Delta, Egypt. J Parasitol Res 2023; 2023:6300563. [PMID: 37323295 PMCID: PMC10264710 DOI: 10.1155/2023/6300563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Food-borne parasites are major sources of human and animal illness, posing severe health risks in places with contaminated soil, poor water quality, cleanliness, and poor sanitation. The usage of untreated organic fertilizers arising from the excreta of the parasites' definitive hosts either man or animal pollutes the agricultural soil and is reflected in its products of vegetables and green fodders causing serious health problems. Therefore, to the best of our knowledge, this will be the first study that investigated the combination of parasitic contamination of the agricultural soil and its products of raw eaten vegetables and green fodder in East Nile Delta, Egypt. Aim The purpose of this study was to investigate the type and degree of contamination caused by parasites in regularly used raw vegetables, green fodder, and soil samples collected from open fields in Egypt's East Nile Delta. Study Procedures. A cross-sectional study comprised a simple random collection of 400 soil samples, 180 green fodder samples, and as well as 400 vegetable samples, including lettuce, radish, coriander, parsley, dill, watercress, tomatoes, green pepper, cucumber, and carrot, that were gathered throughout one year period from January to December 2021 to represent all seasons (winter, spring, summer, and autumn). The research locations were chosen from various open green fields and farming regions in Egypt's East Nile Delta producing ready-to-eat vegetables for human consumptions and planting green fodder for animal feeding. Concentrations, including sedimentation, and flotation, and staining techniques were used to recover the greatest number of parasitic life forms. The parasitic structures discovered were identified using biometric and imaging data and compared with known parasite morphology. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS software version 22 (IBM, Chicago, IL, USA). Data were presented in numbers and percentages. P-values equal to or less than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. The difference in parasitic contamination among the different categories was compared using the chi-square test. Results In this investigation, 243 out of 400 soil samples (60.7%) confirmed positive for parasitic contamination (P < 0.05). Various parasitic life forms were significantly found in 249 out of 400 (62.25%) of the vegetable samples, with (65.1%) of them harboring one parasite species, whereas 9.2% significantly contained up to three parasites. Ascaris eggs, Trichuris eggs, and Giardia cysts were the most prevalent parasites, which were predominantly isolated from vegetables with uneven surfaces. 109 of 180 (60.0%) green fodder samples confirmed insignificantly positive for parasitic pollution. The proportion of parasite contamination in vegetable samples was insignificant although the highest was in spring (29.3%), followed by summer (27.7%), whereas it is significant in autumn (24.5%). The prevalence rate was the lowest in winter (20.1%). Conclusion and Recommendations. Our findings demonstrated a significant load of parasites notably the soil-transmitted parasitic infection in raw vegetables and green fodder cultivated in open fields as well as in their mother soil in the east of the Nile Delta, Egypt. These results confirm the urgent need to deploy strict control measures to the soil, especially during the pre-harvest period of raw eaten vegetables and green fodder, a critical step in reducing food-borne transmission of soil-transmitted parasites to man and animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samah H. Yahia
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Samia E. Etewa
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | | | - Salwa Z. Arafa
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Nesreen S. Saleh
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Al-Wahat, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya
| | - Mohamed H. Sarhan
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Suzan I. Rashad
- Water and Soil Pollutanta Laboratory, Regional Research Center in Sharkia Governorate, Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Egypt
| | - Shimaa S. Hassan
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Parker W, Patel E, Jirků-Pomajbíková K, Laman JD. COVID-19 morbidity in lower versus higher income populations underscores the need to restore lost biodiversity of eukaryotic symbionts. iScience 2023; 26:106167. [PMID: 36785786 PMCID: PMC9908430 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The avoidance of infectious disease by widespread use of 'systems hygiene', defined by hygiene-enhancing technology such as sewage systems, water treatment facilities, and secure food storage containers, has led to a dramatic decrease in symbiotic helminths and protists in high-income human populations. Over a half-century of research has revealed that this 'biota alteration' leads to altered immune function and a propensity for chronic inflammatory diseases, including allergic, autoimmune and neuropsychiatric disorders. A recent Ethiopian study (EClinicalMedicine 39: 101054), validating predictions made by several laboratories, found that symbiotic helminths and protists were associated with a reduced risk of severe COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio = 0.35; p<0.0001). Thus, it is now apparent that 'biome reconstitution', defined as the artificial re-introduction of benign, symbiotic helminths or protists into the ecosystem of the human body, is important not only for alleviation of chronic immune disease, but likely also for pandemic preparedness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kateřina Jirků-Pomajbíková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Jon D. Laman
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections among Schoolchildren around Lake Tana, Northwest Ethiopia. J Parasitol Res 2022; 2022:4603638. [PMID: 36605478 PMCID: PMC9810415 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4603638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are among the most common neglected tropical diseases widely distributed in tropical countries with poor socioeconomic development. Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm are the three major STHs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of STHs and associated risk factors among schoolchildren in selected primary schools around Lake Tana, Northwestern Ethiopia. Methods A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May 2021 involving 337 study participants. A systematic random sampling method was utilized to select the study participants from the selected schools. Data related to sociodemographic characteristics of the study participants and risk factors for STH infections were collected using a pretested questionnaire. Stool samples were collected in sterile plastic containers from each participant and processed using Kato-Katz thick fecal smear and Ritchie's concentration techniques. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software tool version 23, and factors with a p < 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Results The overall prevalence of STH infection was 38.3% (95% CI: 33.1-43.7). Hookworm infection was the predominant STH infection, which was detected in 26.1% schoolchildren followed by A. lumbricoides (14.8%) and T. trichiura (1.5%). Most of the study subjects (34.1%) had single infections, whereas only 4.2% study subjects had multiple helminthic infections. Among the risk factors considered in the study, lack of shoe wearing habit (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=29.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]=6.59-132.55; p < 0.001), lack of knowledge on the prevention and control methods (AOR = 5.41; 95% CI = 2.44-11.98; p < 0.001), engagement in irrigation activities (AOR = 2.14; 95% CI = 1.02-4.57, p = 0.049), lack of toilet (AOR = 3.06; 95% CI = 1.31-7.16; p = 0.01), children grades of 5-8 (AOR = 2.62; 95% CI = 1.26-5.43; p = 0.01), playing on soils (AOR = 5.90; 95% CI = 2.79-12.49; p < 0.001), lack of fingernail trimming habit (AOR = 3.21; 95% CI = 1.57-6.55; p = 0.001), and male gender (AOR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.19-4.39; p = 0.013) were significant explanatory factors for STH infection among schoolchildren in the study area. Conclusions The present study showed that STHs were common among schoolchildren around Lake Tana. Therefore, education on personal and environmental hygiene should be taken into account to reduce the prevalence of STH infection in the study area.
Collapse
|
9
|
Degarege A, Erko B, Negash Y, Animut A. Intestinal Helminth Infection, Anemia, Undernutrition and Academic Performance among School Children in Northwestern Ethiopia. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071353. [PMID: 35889072 PMCID: PMC9320754 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined the prevalence and intensity of intestinal helminth infections and their association with anemia, undernutrition, and academic performance among school children in Maksegnit, northwestern Ethiopia. A total of 1205 school children, who attended Maksegnit Number Two Elementary School between May and July 2021, participated in this study. To determine helminth infection status, two thick Kato–Katz slides were examined for each child. Hemoglobin level was measured using a HemoCue machine. Academic performance was assessed using the mean score of all subjects children have taken for the Spring 2020/2021 academic term. Out of 1205 children examined, 45.4% were infected with at least one helminth species, 7.9% were anemic, and 35.8% were undernourished. The means for hemoglobin level and z-scores of weight for age, height for age, body mass index for age, and academic scores were lower among helminth-infected children than the uninfected. Children infected with intestinal helminths showed higher odds of anemia than those uninfected with helminths. In conclusion, there was a moderate prevalence of intestinal helminth infection and undernutrition among school children in Maksegnit. Intestinal helminth infection could increase the risk of anemia, undernutrition, and poor academic performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Degarege
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-402-552-6682
| | - Berhanu Erko
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 1176, Ethiopia; (B.E.); (Y.N.); (A.A.)
| | - Yohannes Negash
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 1176, Ethiopia; (B.E.); (Y.N.); (A.A.)
| | - Abebe Animut
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa P.O. Box 1176, Ethiopia; (B.E.); (Y.N.); (A.A.)
| |
Collapse
|