Vegetable-transmitted parasites among inhabitants of El-prince, Alexandria and its relation to housewives' knowldge and practices

In the present study, stool samples were obtained from 575 individuals from El-Prince, a suburban village of Alexandria, Egypt to detect helminthic eggs and protozoan cysts. The results showed that, 35.7% of the sample had at least one vegetable-transmitted parasite the highest percentage [46.4%] was in the age group of 6 to less than 15 years. The nematode Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent in 18.4%, followed by the protozoan Giardia lamblia in 10.4%. Fasciola eggs were found in 2.4% of samples. Knowledge and practices of housewives concerning Fasciola and its source of transmission and methods of washing leafy vegetables was obtained through house-to-house interviews with 303 housewives. Knowledge that leafy vegetables were a source of Fasciola infection was indirectly proportional with age, better in younger housewives and those of secondary or higher education. More than half of the interviewed housewives [57.7%] washed leafy vegetables under running tap water and 32.7% soaked them in tap water. Only 9.6% soaked them in water mixed with a substance as vinegar, lemon juice or common salt. Only 5% of those who were infected with vegetable transmitted parasites washed vegetables by soaking in water with an added substance compared to 19.6% of parasite free housewives. Most of those adding a substance to soaking water [89.7%] used vinegar. Results of the study revealed that a serious and consistent effort through public health activities is essential to educate housewives about vegetable-transmitted parasites, their transmission and ways of prevention

Current status of S. mansoni infection in El-prince village, Alexandria governorate

The present work was implemented to determine the current status of Schistosorna mansoni infection in "El-Prince" village, near Alexandria, which was studied before as a Control village between 1985 and 1990. Stool examination was performed on 571 of the inhabitants by Kato thick smear technique and intensity of infection was determined. Prevalence was found to be 15.4% with a percentage decrease of 53% from the 1990 survey. The geometric mean egg count [GMEC] ranged from 19.05 eggs/gram of stools in children aged five years or less to 81.86 in the oldest group greater than 50 years of age and averaged 42.26. Age stratified prevalence of infection peaked at 31.4% in the [20 to 25]-year-old age group. High prevalence of 23.6% was also observed in the age group from 36 to 50 years. Infection in males was higher than females [17.8% vs.13.5%]. However the difference was not statistically significant [x2 = 2.2, P=0.0086]. Risk factors significantly associated with the infection were an age more than 5 years, male gender, males with water contact activities and having done a previous lab oratory analysis for schistosomiasis. The community category of the village changed from high prevalence in 1990 to moderate prevalence in 2002. Most of the infected individuals [85%] had light intensity of infection [less than 99 eggs lg stools]. Active screening and treatment programs should be maintained in the area. More control measures should be directed towards older people who should be included in evaluation of control programs