Risk Factors Associated with Parasitic Infection Among Municipality Solid-Waste Workers in an Egyptian Community

The burden and trend of intestinal parasitosis among women at Berekum, Ghana: a 9-year retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are serious global public health issues, especially in low and middle-income countries. These parasites can cause high morbidity and mortality, especially in immunocompromised individuals, and can easily be transmitted by consumption of contaminated food or water or by penetration of skin and mucous membranes.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed all archived data from stool examination reports at the Parasitology Unit of Precise Health Diagnostic Services, Berekum for the prevalence and trends of parasitic infections spanning a period of 9 years (2013-2021). The data was retrieved and exported to IBM SPSS v.26 for statistical analysis. Descriptive data was summarized as proportions and presented in tables and charts. Pearson Chi-Square test (χ2) or Fisher's exact test was used to test for a statistical association between demographic factors and intestinal parasitic infections. P value was significant at < 0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 9,217 records of stool examinations were retrieved. Almost half (48.45%) of the data were from patients aged between 20 and 29 years. An overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections of 21.20% was observed in this study. Patients aged 70 to 79 had the highest prevalence of the IPIs (44.44%). The parasites recovered in this study were intestinal flagellates, Entamoeba coli, Hookworm, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Ascaris lumbricoides, Enterobius vermicularis, Strongyloides stercoralis and Hymenolepis nana. The intestinal flagellates had the highest prevalence (98.31%) compared to the other intestinal parasites recovered. Intestinal parasitic infections had the highest prevalence in the year 2020 (28.56%) and lowest in 2018 (11.78%).

CONCLUSION

An overall prevalence of 21.20% of intestinal parasitic infection was found. The majority of the parasites reported were intestinal flagellates (98.31%). The trend analysis revealed that the overall prevalence fluctuated across the entire period from 2013 to 2021.

Analysis of Generation, of Household Waste and Its Potential Utilization in Darul Imarah subdistrict - Aceh Besar District

Abstract   BACKGROUND: Darul Imarah District is one of the largest sub-districts in Aceh Besar, which is very dense and faces a waste problem. The increase in population in the Darul Imarah sub-district has resulted in waste generation.   AIM: analyzing the generation, composition of household waste and its potential use in Darul Imarah subdistrict, Aceh Besar District, Aceh Province   METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional study design by conducting an initial survey on the generationvolume and composition of waste in each house selected as a sample and continued with an experimental study. The research object is solid wastegarbage generated from daily activities in the selected sample group households in the Darul Imarah sub-district in the form of primary data from sampling, with a random sampling technique. The number of samples of 100 houses with the respondent's target is housewives. Data analysis was carried out using the T-Test difference test to compare the value before being given knowledge about household waste management after being given knowledge.   RESULTS: The study results show differences in the generation and composition of waste before and after being given knowledge about household waste management in Darul Imarah District, Kab. Aceh Besar with a significant (sig.) Of 0.000 (0.05). The total waste produced before being given knowledge about waste management was 164.6 kg. The composition of the waste consists of plastic waste (22.9 kg), wet waste (62.5 kg), dry waste (37.4 kg), and glass waste (41.8 kg). After being given knowledge about waste management, there was a reduction in the total waste produced, namely 131.8 kg. A significant reduction in the amount of waste in the volume of plastic waste (7.8 kg), wet waste (48.0 kg), dry waste (37.3 kg), and glass waste (38.8 kg). There is a difference in the volume of plastic waste in plastic waste after being given knowledge about household waste management, with the difference between the average before and after is 0.1530 and the difference is between 0.1045 - 0.2015 (95% Ci). In wet waste, there is a difference in the volume of wet waste after being given knowledge about household waste management with the difference between the before and after averages of 0.1450 and the difference between the differences is between 0.0784 - 0.2116 (95% Ci). In dry waste, there is no difference in the volume of dry waste after being given knowledge about household waste management with an average difference before and after of 0.0020, and the difference is between -, 0008 - 0.0048 (95% Ci). There is a difference in the volume of glass waste in glass waste after being given knowledge about household waste management with the difference between the before and after an average of 0.0310 and the difference between the differences between 0.0170 - 0.0450 (95% Ci). CONCLUSION:   There are differences in the generation and composition of waste before and after being given knowledge about household waste management in Darul Imarah District, Kab. Aceh Besar with a significant (sig.) of 0.000 (0.05).

The Incidence, Intensity, and Risk Factors for Soil Transmissible Helminthes Infections among Waste Handlers in a Large Coastal Periurban Settlement in Southern Ghana

Soil-transmissible helminthes (STH) infections are among the most common sanitation-related public health problems in poor periurban settlements of tropical regions of low- and middle-income countries. In Ghana, research studies documenting the incidence rate, intensity, and occupational risk factors of STH infections among adults are scanty. A prospective cohort study of 261 waste handlers was conducted to investigate this. Stool samples were collected after 90 and 180 days of treatment with albendazole (400 mg per dose). The geometric mean intensity of STH among waste handlers after 180 days of treatment was 2.8 eggs/gram (light intensity), with an incidence rate of 1.5%. The proportion of waste handlers with light intensity STH infections was 4.8%. The odds of STH infection among female waste handlers were 80% lower when compared with male waste handlers (aOR = 0.2; 95% CI: 0.0-0.8). Waste handlers who used rubber gloves when working were 80% (aOR = 0.2: 95% CI: 0.2-1.9) protected from STH infections compared with those who did not use gloves. Infections with STH among the 261 waste handlers significantly correlated with the type of waste handling activities (LR χ 2 = 15.3; p=0.033) with the highest proportion of infection found among transporters, 2 (40%). Waste handlers should receive periodic antihelminthic treatment, at least once every six months, practice adequate hand hygiene, and use suitable personal protective equipment during work.

Prevalence and Clinical Manifestations of Giardia intestinalis and Other Intestinal Parasites in Children and Adults in Algeria

Giardia intestinalis is one of the most common causes of parasite-induced diarrhea, abdominal pain, flatulence, and malabsorption. Yet, data on the epidemiology of G. intestinalis infections in North Africa are limited. The purpose of this study was to carry out a retrospective survey on the level of intestinal parasitism with a particular emphasis on G. intestinalis in children and adults in Algiers, Algeria. A total of 2,054 individuals from outpatient clinics or hospitalized at Beni-Messous University Hospital of Algiers undergoing stool microscopy for ova and parasites were included. The overall parasite infection rate was 28%. In the 567 parasite-positive samples, Blastocystis was found most frequently (57.3%), followed in frequency by Endolimax nana (41.0%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (19.6%), G. intestinalis (17.1%), Entamoeba coli (13.9%), Chilomastix mesnili (1.0%), Iodamoeba bütschlii (0.7%), Entamoeba hartmanni (0.5%), and Cryptosporidium spp. (0.2%). Intestinal parasites were generally more common in adults than in children, except for Giardia, which was more common in children (P = 0.0001). Giardia infection was independent of gender (P = 0.94). Compared with other intestinal parasitic infections, clinical manifestations, such as abdominal pain (P = 0.28) and diarrhea (P = 0.82), were found not to be significantly linked to Giardia infection. In conclusion, G. intestinalis is common in individuals referred to the University Hospital of Beni-Messous with digestive symptoms, particularly so in children. However, in our study, intestinal symptoms appeared not to be more linked to Giardia than to other intestinal parasites.

Biochemical changes among municipal solid waste sorting workers: implications for personal protective equipment availability and use

Background. Solid waste management has emerged as one of the greatest challenges facing human and environmental health. Municipal solid waste workers are potentially exposed to a variety of occupational biohazards and safety risks in the workplace. Objective. This study aimed to evaluate the availability and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and some biochemical changes among solid waste sorting workers. Methods. A group of solid waste sorting workers was interviewed and checked for availability, use and appropriateness of PPE using a structured questionnaire and checklist. Workers were tested for hepatic and renal function parameters and biomarkers of allergy and inflammation. Results. The level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) as a biomarker of inflammation was elevated in 12.9% while total serum immunoglobulin E was obviously high among most workers (79.2%). Workers with inadequately available, used or effective PPE were more likely to have morbidities and showed elevated serum levels of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, urea, creatinine, hsCRP and total immunoglobulin E. Conclusions. Elevated biomarkers of allergy and inflammation herald preclinical disease risks that should be included in basic health surveillance. Use of PPE should be emphasized for workers involved in solid waste sorting to effectively protect their health.

Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Africa: current and future challenges

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are important causes of diarrhoeal illness. Adequate knowledge of the molecular diversity and geographical distribution of these parasites and the environmental and climatic variables that influence their prevalence is important for effective control of infection in at-risk populations, yet relatively little is known about the epidemiology of these parasites in Africa. Cryptosporidium is associated with moderate to severe diarrhoea and increased mortality in African countries and both parasites negatively affect child growth and development. Malnutrition and HIV status are also important contributors to the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in African countries. Molecular typing of both parasites in humans, domestic animals and wildlife to date indicates a complex picture of both anthroponotic, zoonotic and spill-back transmission cycles that requires further investigation. For Cryptosporidium, the only available drug (nitazoxanide) is ineffective in HIV and malnourished individuals and therefore more effective drugs are a high priority. Several classes of drugs with good efficacy exist for Giardia, but dosing regimens are suboptimal and emerging resistance threatens clinical utility. Climate change and population growth are also predicted to increase both malnutrition and the prevalence of these parasites in water sources. Dedicated and co-ordinated commitments from African governments involving "One Health" initiatives with multidisciplinary teams of veterinarians, medical workers, relevant government authorities, and public health specialists working together are essential to control and prevent the burden of disease caused by these parasites.