Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Under-Five Children and Maternal Awareness about the Infections in Shesha Kekele; Wondo Genet; Southern Ethiopia

Background: Few studies have reported the magnitude of intestinal parasitic infections among under-five children in tropical countries. Moreover; there is little information on maternal awareness about intestinal parasitosis. Objective: To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis among under-five children; and assess maternal awareness about it in Shesha Kebkele; Wondo Genet; Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 288 under-five children was conducted and stool samples were collected and examined for intestinal parasites using Kato-Katz and formol-ether concentration methods. In addition; a total of 130 mothers of under-five children were interviewed regarding their awareness about intestinal parasitic infections. Results: Of the 288 children; 245 (85.1) were found infected with one or more intestinal parasites. The prevalence of Trichuris trichiura; Schistosoma mansoni and Ascaris lumbricoides; hookworm; and Hymenolepis nana infections as determined by Kato-Katz were 74.7; 37.2; 25.7; 5.9; and 4.5; respectively. On the other hand; the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis; Giardia lamblia; Entamoeba histolytica/dispar; and Entamoeba coli infections as determined by formol-ether concentration method were 0.69; 13.2; 0.35; and 2.1; respectively. Most mothers were reasonably aware of the mode of transmission of ascariasis; amoebiasis and giardiasis while they had very limited knowledge of bilharzia and hookworm transmission. Almost all of the respondents reported that infections with intestinal parasites could cause retardation of growth and death in children unless treated. Conclusion: Intestinal parasitic infections were prevalent in varying magnitude among under-five children in Wondo Genet area; Southern Ethiopia. Mothers in the study area had a fairly good knowledge of the impact of infections but limited knowledge of the mode of transmission of intestinal parasitic infections. Improvement of sanitation and health education are required besides preventive chemotherapy to control worms (except for schistosomiasis in under-five which need treatment on an individual basis) and other intestinal parasitic infections in the area. (Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2010;24(3):185-190)

Current Status of Intestinal Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis among Primary School Children in Adwa Town; Northern Ethiopia

Background: Epidemiological baseline information on the prevalence and intensity of parasitic infections in a given locality is a prerequisite for development and evaluation of sound control strategies. Objective: To determine the current status of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis among primary school children in Adwa Town; northern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out in eight primary schools in Adwa Town between October and November 2007. Fecal samples of 386 school children in the age group 7-18 were collected and microscopically examined using the Kato-Katz and formol-ether concentration methods. A questionnaire was used to identify determinants for Schistosoma mansoni and soil-transmitted helminth infections. Results: The most prevalent intestinal parasitic infection among primary school children in Adwa Town as determined by Kato-Katz (58.7) and formol ether concentration (60.6) methods was intestinal schistosomiasis; with an overall intensity of 95.8 eggs per gram of stool. The prevalence of S. mansoni infection was higher in males (70.7) than in females (57); as determined by both methods. Less common parasites observed included Ascaris lumbricoides; hookworm species; Hymenolepis nana; Strongyloides stercoralis; and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar. Conclusion: The residents of Adwa Town represent a high-risk community with respect to intestinal schistosomiasis. Hence; mass praziquantel administration to school-age children and all adults considered to be at risk is required once a year until the level of infection falls below the level of public health importance. There is also a need to supplement chemotherapy with other measures such as environmental sanitation and health education to make the impact of chemotherapy sustainable. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2010;24(3):191-197]

Schistosomiasis Mansoni and Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis in Bushulo Village; Southern Ethiopia

Background:Schistosomiasis mansoni and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STHs) are considerable medical and public health problems in Ethiopia. However; information is limited on the epidemiology of these infections in different localities even though it is needed to plan effective prevention and control measures.Objective: This study was designed to determine the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and soil-transmitted helminth infections in school children and residents in Bushulo village near Lake Awassa (Hawassa); southern Ethiopia.Methods: Cross-sectional epidemiological and parasitological studies were conducted on schistosomiasis mansoni and STHs in Bushulo village in May and June 2007. A total of 419 participants (353 school children and 66 other residents) were included in the study. The principal investigator interviewed the study subjects about demographic status using structured questionnaires. Moreover; experienced nurse took history and conducted physical examination to assess symptoms and signs related to chronic S. mansoni infection. A single stool sample was collected from each participant and processed using the Kato-Katz technique. Experienced laboratory technician read all slides at Bushulo Health Center. Results: The overall infection rates of schistosomiasis mansoni; trichuriasis; ascariasis and hookworm infection were 73.7; 41.5; 37.2and 28.4; respectively. Other parasitic infections observed were caused by Hymenolepis nana (1.7); Taenia species (1.4); and Enterobius vermicularis (1.4). Children in the age range 10-14 years and those attending at St. Paul's School had higher rates of T. trichiura and S. mansoni; respectively. Intensity of infection was higher for A. lumbricoides in the age range 5-9 years. The overall prevalence of any STHs was 67.3. The rates of single; dual; triple and quadruple infections were 29.6; 32; 20.3and 7.4; respectively. Conclusion: The high prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis mansoni and soil-transmitted helminthiasis makes periodic deworming programme urgent to reduce morbidity and transmission of helminthiasis in the area. Provisions of sanitary facilities and clean water supply as well as health education are also critically needed to sustain the impact of chemotherapy

Schistosomiasis in the Finchaa River Valley, Wellega Region, western Ethiopia

Parasitological and malacological surveys were carried out in the Finchaa Valley; Wallega Region; Western Ethiopia. Stool examination of 960 persons in the 10 communities surveyed showed an average human prevalence of 12.4 per cent for Schistosoma mansoni. Infected individuals were present in 6 communities; but prevalence was greater than 10 per cent in only three of them; reaching 40 per cent among school children in one community. In endemic localities; the intensity of infection in terms of eggs per gram of faeces were 200 and 199 among school children and farm labours respectively. The age specific prevalence and intensity of infection were highest among the 5-14 year age group. The intermediate host of S. mansoni; Biomphalaria pfeifferi were collected from three sites; but transmission was identified at only one site located in the lower portion of the valley. Bulinus truncatus; the potential intermediate host of S. haematobium in Ethiopia; was also present in the area. The occurrence of infected human subjects and snail intermediate host confirm that Schistosoma mansoni is well established in the valley; particularly in the lower portion where a large irrigation development is under way. In this report; the threat posed by the S. mansoni and S. haematobium is discussed and the preventive/control measures to be taken are suggested

The incidence of schistosomiasis in Bahir-Dar; Ethiopia

A study was made in Bahir-Dar; North-Western Ethiopia; for a period of twelve months; to determine the incidence of Schistosomiasis mansoni. All children aged 10 years and younger in Dil Chibo and Teyima Elementary Schools were stool-examined by the formol-ether concentration technique at the beginning of the study to select schistosomiasis mansoni negative children for a later incidence study. Accordingly; 139 children in Dil Chibo and 104 children in Teyima were found negative and used for an incidence study. In the incidence surveys; the stool specimens were examined by the Kato method. The overall annual incidence rates for Dil Chibo and Teyima school children were 194/1000 and 382/1000 respectively. The rates obtained at the second survey were higher than the rates obtained at the first survey; 164/1000 and 36/1000; respectively; for Dil Chibo and 292/1000 and 77/1000; respectively; for Teyima schools. Males had a higher schistosomiasis incidence than females (P0.01). The incidence also appeared to vary with age. The value of incidence as a measure of transmission is discussed

Intestinal helminth infections at Zeghie; Ethiopia; with emphasis on schistosomiasis mansoni

A total of 460 stool specimens were examined by Kato thick smear technique to determine the prevalence of schistosomiasis mansoni and other helminth infections among people living in Zeghie town; Northwest Ethiopia. The most prevalent infections were schistosomiasis; ascariasis; and trichuriasis. The infection rates among school children for Schistosoma mansoni; Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris triciura were 69.7 per cent; 77.7 per cent and 64.7 per cent; respectively. The respective infection rates of these helminths among the residents were 53.1 per cent; 60.6 per cent and 50 per cent. The prevalence of schistosomiasis appeared to be higher for males than for females. The high prevalence of infection observed for these helminths in the present study clearly indicates the need for timely control measures