Advancing molecular modeling and reverse vaccinology in broad-spectrum yellow fever virus vaccine development.

Yellow fever outbreaks are prevalent, particularly in endemic regions. Given the lack of an established treatment for this disease, significant attention has been directed toward managing this arbovirus. In response, we developed a multiepitope vaccine designed to elicit an immune response, utilizing advanced immunoinformatic and molecular modeling techniques. To achieve this, we predicted B- and T-cell epitopes using the sequences from all structural (E, prM, and C) and nonstructural proteins of 196 YFV strains. Through comprehensive analysis, we identified 10 cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) and 5T-helper (Th) epitopes that exhibited overlap with B-lymphocyte epitopes. These epitopes were further evaluated for their affinity to a wide range of human leukocyte antigen system alleles and were rigorously tested for antigenicity, immunogenicity, allergenicity, toxicity, and conservation. These epitopes were linked to an adjuvant ( ß -defensin) and to each other using ligands, resulting in a vaccine sequence with appropriate physicochemical properties. The 3D structure of this sequence was created, improved, and quality checked; then it was anchored to the Toll-like receptor. Molecular Dynamics and Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics simulations were employed to enhance the accuracy of docking calculations, with the QM portion of the simulations carried out utilizing the density functional theory formalism. Moreover, the inoculation model was able to provide an optimal codon sequence that was inserted into the pET-28a( +) vector for in silico cloning and could even stimulate highly relevant humoral and cellular immunological responses. Overall, these results suggest that the designed multi-epitope vaccine can serve as prophylaxis against the yellow fever virus.

Chemical composition and potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic efficacy of Cistus albidus L.

This study aims to assess the chemical composition of the aqueous extract of Cistus albidus L. leaves, as well as the potential of aqueous and hydroethanol extracts of the leaves and seeds as analgesic, anti--inflammatory, and antioxidant agents. The contents of phenolics and inorganic constituents were determined in C. albidus seeds and leaves; antioxidant capacity was assessed by 3 complementary and diverse tests. The carrageenan-induced paw edema technique was used to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect in vivo, and albumin denaturation to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect in vitro. The acetic acid-induced contortion test, the tail-flick test, and the plantar test were used to assess the analgesic effi cacy in vivo. Chemical analysis was performed by UPLC-MS/MS to quantify several phenolic compounds including catechin (1,627.6 mg kg-1), quercitrin (1,235.8 mg kg-1) and gallic acid (628. 2 mg kg-1). The ICP analysis revealed that potassium and calcium were the main inorganic components in the seeds and leaves of C. albidus. The hydroethanolic extract of the leaves showed the highest content of polyphenols/flavonoids, whereas the highest value of proantho cyanidins was detected in the aqueous extract of the seeds. All extracts showed potent antioxidant activity related to different phenolic compounds (quercetin, gallic acid, astragalin, catechin, and rutin). The aqueous extract of the leaves strongly inhibited paw edema (76.1 %) after 6 h of treatment and showed maximal inhibition of protein denaturation (191.0 µg mL-1 for 50 % inhibition) and analgesic activity in different nociceptive models. The presented data reveal that C. albidus extracts potentially show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities that could confirm the traditional use of this plant.

Mechanistic insight of Staphylococcus aureus associated skin cancer in humans by Santalum album derived phytochemicals: an extensive computational and experimental approaches.

An excessive amount of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is commonly associated with actinic keratosis (AK) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by secreted virulence products that induced the chronic inflammation leading to skin cancer which is regulated by staphylococcal accessory regulator (SarA). It is worth noting that there is currently no existing published study that reports on the inhibitory activity of phytochemicals derived from Santalum album on the SarA protein through in silico approach. Therefore, our study has been designed to find the potential inhibitors of S. aureus SarA protein from S. album-derived phytochemicals. The molecular docking study was performed targeting the SarA protein of S. aureus, and CID:5280441, CID:162350, and CID: 5281675 compounds showed the highest binding energy with -9.4 kcal/mol, -9.0 kcal/mol, and -8.6 kcal/mol respectively. Further, molecular dynamics simulation revealed that the docked complexes were relatively stable during the 100 ns simulation period whereas the MMPBSA binding free energy proposed that the ligands were sustained with their binding site. All three complexes were found to be similar in distribution with the apoprotein through PCA analysis indicating conformational stability throughout the MD simulation. Moreover, all three compounds' ADMET profiles revealed positive results, and the AMES test did not show any toxicity whereas the pharmacophore study also indicates a closer match between the pharmacophore model and the compounds. After comprehensive in silico studies we evolved three best compounds, namely, Vitexin, Isovitexin, and Orientin, which were conducted in vitro assay for further confirmation of their inhibitory activity and results exhibited all of these compounds showed strong inhibitory activity against S. aureus. The overall result suggests that these compounds could be used as a natural lead to inhibit the pathogenesis of S. aureus and antibiotic therapy for S. aureus-associated skin cancer in humans as well.

Effect of glyphosate on the growth and survival of rhizobia isolated from root nodules of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.).

Grass pea (L. sativus L.) is a widely cultivated crop worldwide, forming a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. Glyphosate is commonly used by farmers for weed control during agricultural processes. However, the application of this chemical herbicide negatively impacts soil fertility by affecting the nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. This study aimed to assess the effects of glyphosate on rhizobia isolated from healthy and robust Grass pea plants. Specifically, Grass pea plants exhibiting vigorous growth and a healthy appearance were intentionally selected to isolate rhizobia from their root nodules. The isolated rhizobia were then characterized based on their morphological features, biochemical properties, and resistance to abiotic traits. Rhizobial isolates from grass peas exhibited Gram-negative, rod-shaped morphology, milky colony color, and variable colony sizes. Additionally, the majority displayed smooth colony surfaces on yeast extract mannitol agar medium. Based on morphological and biochemical characteristics, the isolates could be grouped under the genus Rhizobium. Optimum growth conditions for these isolates were observed at temperatures between 28 and 38 °C, pH levels ranging from 5 to 8, and salt (NaCl) concentrations of 0.5% and 1%. At a concentration of 20 mL L-1, glyphosate inhibited 5.52-47% of the Rhizobium population. The inhibition percentage increased to 17.1-53.38% at a concentration of 40 mL L-1. However, when exposed to a higher concentration (60 mL/L) of glyphosate, 87% of the isolates were inhibited. The number of colonies after glyphosate exposure was significantly dependent on concentration, and there were notable differences between treatments with varying glyphosate concentrations (p < 0.05). Glyphosate negatively impacted the survival of grass pea rhizobia, leading to a reduction in the Rhizobium population (CFU). However, the effect varied between Rhizobium isolated from grass pea root nodules.

Napthyridine-derived compounds as promising inhibitors for Staphylococcus aureus CrtM: a primer for the discovery of potential anti-Staphylococcus aureus agents.

The disease-free existence of humans is constantly under attack by a variety of infections caused by a variety of organisms including bacteria. Notable among the bacteria is Staphylococcus aureus which is an etiological organism for infections including impetigo, folliculitis, and furuncles. The response of the human immune system against this disease is often neutralized by the production of a pigment called Staphyloxanthin (STX) via a series of reactions mediated by several enzymes. Among these enzymes, dehydrosqualene synthase, also known as CrtM, has emerged as a viable drug target due to its role in mediating the first step of the pathway. Consequently, this study employs molecular modeling approaches including molecular docking, quantum mechanical calculations, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations among others to investigate the potential of napthyridine derivatives to serve as inhibitors of the CrtM. The results of the study revealed the high binding affinities of the compounds for the target as demonstrated by their docking scores, while further subjection to screening pipeline aimed at determining their fitness for development into drugs revealed just one compound namely 6-[[1-[(2-fluorophenyl) methyl]triazol-4-yl]methoxy]-4-oxo-1H-1,5-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid as the compound with good drug-like, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity properties profiles. A 100 ns-long MD simulation of the complexes formed after molecular docking revealed the stable interaction of the compound with the target. Ultimately, this study can be a promising outlet to discover a weapon to fight against clinically resistant bacteria, however, further experimental studies are suggested to carry out in the wet lab, pre-clinical, and clinical levels.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of essential oils from two salvia species with in vitro and in silico analysis targeting 1AJ6 and 1R4U proteins.

The Middle Atlas is a Moroccan territory that serves as an abode to plants with incredible biodiversity, of which aromatic and medicinal plants that have been of folkloric use are a significant component. However, their effective utilization in modern medicine requires the characterization of their phytochemicals to facilitate their entry into drug discovery pipelines. Hence, this study aimed to characterize and investigate the antioxidant activity and antimicrobial effects of the essential oils (EOs) of Salvia lavandulifolia subsp. mesatlantica and Salvia officinalis L. by use of in vitro and in silico assays. Ten phytochemicals were identified in the EOs of S. lavandulifolia, while twenty phytochemicals were identified in S. officinalis. Camphor was the most abundant compound in both species, comprising 26.70% and 39.24% of the EOs of S. lavandulifolia and S. officinalis, respectively. The EOs of both plants exhibited significant DPPH free radical scavenging activity, with S. lavandulifolia and S. officinalis showing estimated scavenging rates of 92.97% and 75.20%, respectively. In terms of Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), S. officinalis demonstrated a higher value (72.08%) compared to that of S. lavandulifolia (64.61%). Evaluation of the antimicrobial effects of the EOs of S. officinalis and S. lavandulifolia against microorganisms revealed bactericidal activities against Proteus mirabilis and Bacillus subtilis at low concentrations. It showed bactericidal activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans at a relatively higher concentration. Molecular docking of antioxidant and antimicrobial proteins offers significant insights into ligand-protein interactions, facilitating the development of innovative therapeutics from the current study. Ultimately, this study identified the phytochemical composition of S. lavandulifolia and S. officinalis and highlighted their potential for therapeutic discovery.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) on Antibiotic Use and Disposal Ways in Sidama Region, Ethiopia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Survey.

Antibiotic resistance has been among the top public health threats elsewhere. Scientific information on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) at the community level towards antibiotic use and disposal ways is a vital step for effective intervention. This study aimed at determining the levels of KAP and associated risk factors for antibiotics in and around Hawassa City, southern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and logistic regression were used to analyze and interpret the results. A total of 504 participants with a mean age of 35.32 ± 9.03 years were included in the study. Most of the participants were urban dwellers (59.5%); more than half (55.6%) of the participants were male; most of the participants (62.7%) were at least college graduates; about half were employed (52.4%); about 41.7% of the participants had a large family size (≥7) with a mean family size of 5.7 ± 2.7; the average family monthly income was ETB 7213.71 ± 3673, and over three-fourth (74.8%) of the study participants were married. In addition, about 83.13% of the study participants heard about antibiotics; almost all of them (99.8%) had ever used antibiotics at some point in their life (75% of which used antibiotics within 6 months), and all of them could name at least one common type of antibiotic. Moreover, most of the participants (86.5%) did not receive any training related to antibiotics, and 29.4% of them obtained antibiotics without a prescription. Most participants had poor knowledge (64%), negative attitudes (60.4%), and poor practices (55%) towards antibiotic use, resistance, and disposal methods. Significant and positive linear correlations between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.539, P ≤ 0.001), knowledge-practice (r = 0.532, P ≤ 0.001), and attitude-practice (r = 0.786, P < 0.001) were also observed. Most of the sociodemographic variables were significantly associated with the mean KAP scores of the study participants. Living in a rural area, having a large family size, and being female, married, illiterate, and farmer resulted in a very low level of knowledge. Similarly, living in a rural area, having a small family size, and being older and married resulted in a negative attitude. Furthermore, having a smaller family size, having a low family monthly income, and being married, illiterate, and self-employed resulted in poor practice. A very low level of KAP towards antibiotics among people living in and around Hawassa City calls for urgent and effective intervention strategies.

Eco-friendly textile desizing with indigenously produced amylase from Bacillus cereus AS2.

Starch is added to the fabric surface to secure weaving process. During finishing these sized particles are removed from the fabric and prepared it for printing and dyeing. Chemicals de-sizing agents damage fabric surfaces and reduce the quality of the product. An alternative to these conventional desizing agents is the use of biological molecules i.e. enzymes. The current study compares traditional de-sizing to bio-based de-sizing methods, as well as the optimization of fabric desizing settings using crude amylase. Amylase-producing Bacillus cereus AS2 was isolated from indigenous soil samples. The maximal fermentative de-sizing capability was discovered at 72 h, with no fabric surface degradation. Chemical desizing showed that the fabric lost all sizing agents to TEGEWA scale 9 within 1 h in presence of 5N HCl. Optimal studies for desizing showed that 1000 IU/ml of amylase resulted in maximum de-sizing within 15 h at 60 °C and 0.5% Triton-X. Water absorbance and weight loss, both parameters were used to check the desizing efficacy and it was found that de-sizing to same scale was occurred in the case of enzyme as well as commercially desized fabric. Enzyme desized cloth was found to be free of any starch particles in SEM micrographs, identical to industrially de-sized fabric, ensuring bioprocess efficacy.

Occurrence and characterization of ß-lactamase-producing bacteria in biomedical wastewater and in silico enhancement of antibiotic efficacy.

Wastewater discharged from hospitals is a recognized contributor to the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their associated genetic traits into the environment. This study focused on the analysis of ß-lactamase-producing pathogenic bacteria within untreated biomedical wastewater originating from various hospitals in Dhaka City, Bangladesh, as well as in silico evaluation and structural activity relationship mentioned antibiotics were evaluated. In silico drug design techniques were applied to identify the relationship with how the functional group impacts the binding energy. Out of the 184 isolates obtained from well-established hospital sewage discharge points in Dhaka, 89 were identified as ß-lactamase positive. These bacteria were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the VITEK-2 assay, and their profiles of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production were determined through molecular methodologies. Among the ß-lactamase-positive isolates, considerable resistance was observed, particularly against ampicillin, Ceftriaxone, Cefuroxime, and Meropenem. The predominant resistant species included Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter cloacae. The study identified the prevalence of ESBL-producing genes, with blaNDM-1 being the most prevalent, followed by blaOXA-1, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, and blaKPC. None of the isolates carried the blaTEM gene. In addition to characterizing these bacteria, the research explored ways to enhance the binding energy of four existing antibiotics as new inhibitors through computational studies. The findings revealed significant improvements in binding energy. Specifically, Meropenem initially exhibited a binding energy of -7.5 kcal/mol, notably increasing to -8.3 kcal/mol after modification. With an initial binding energy was only -7.9 kcal/mol, Ampicillin experienced an enhancement, reaching -8.0 kcal/mol post-modification. Similarly, Ceftriaxone, with an initial binding energy of -8.2 kcal/mol, increased to -8.5 kcal/mol following structural adjustments. Finally, Cefuroxime, initially registering a binding energy of -7.1 kcal/mol, substantially increased to -8.9 kcal/mol after modification. This finding establishes a foundation for future investigations in the development of modified antibiotics to address the issue of antibiotic resistance. It presents prospective remedies for the persistent problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in healthcare and the environment.

Seasonal Dynamics in Bacteriological and Physicochemical Water Quality of the Southern Gulf of Lake Tana.

Freshwater lakes are important sources of water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses. Lake Tana offers a range of ecosystem services to the surrounding communities. However, this lake is facing deterioration in water quality due to pollution caused by anthropogenic influences. Therefore, regular monitoring of key water quality parameters is critical to understanding the water quality status of the lake. This study aimed to assess the seasonal fluctuation of water quality of the Southern Gulf of Lake Tana using indicator bacteria and some physicochemical parameters. A total of 48 water samples were collected in dry and wet seasons from eight sites in the study area. Total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC), and some physicochemical parameters (pH, temperature, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate) were determined following standard methods. The results revealed that coliform counts were above the permissible level set by Ethiopian Standards and varied significantly among sites (P < 0.05). FC counts ranged from 1 to 1600 MPN/100 ml (with the lowest and highest mean value of 1 at site 8 to 1076.5 ± 3.1 at site 4) and again TC counts ranged from 1 to 1600 MPN/100 ml (with a mean value of 4.8 ± 1.81 at site 6 to 1600 at site 4 and site 8). The findings also confirmed that the highest counts of coliforms were observed during the wet season. The high counts are attributed to the discharge of human excreta and animal wastes during the rainy season from the different anthropogenic activities near the Gulf. Significant variations in most of the physicochemical parameters were also observed between sites and seasons. FC and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) in most sites did not meet the EPA standard for surface water. Corrective measures are highly recommended for anthropogenic activities driving high pollution loads in the lake.

Evaluation of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) Production Using Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) Biomass Supplemented with Agricultural Wastes.

The cost of substrates has been one of the challenges for mushroom cultivation. The commonly used substrates for mushroom production are usually expensive. Substrates with a high biomass return that can pose environmental problems can be good alternatives for mushroom cultivation due to multiple advantages. In this regard, the potential use of water hyacinth biomass (a troublesome aquatic weed) as an alternative substrate is worthy of being studied. This study was aimed at evaluating the potential use of water hyacinth biomass for the production of oyster mushroom. The experiment was done in a completely randomized design with nine treatments and four replications. Water hyacinth biomass was supplemented with straw (wheat, Triticum aestivum, and teff or Eragrostis Teff) at a ratio of 1 : 1, 1 : 3, or 3 : 1. The developmental parameters including days elapsed for mycelium invasion (MI), pinhead formation (PF), and the first flush (FH) were monitored. Growth parameters (cap diameter (CD) and stalk length (SL)), a yield parameter (total weight of mushroom yield), and biological efficiency (BF %) were also recorded. Finally, the economic return (ER) of all the treatments was calculated. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the significance of variation between the different parameters on the production parameters. Means were separated using the Tukey test, when F-test from ANOVA was significant at p ≤ 0.05. It was observed that water hyacinth biomass alone or supplemented with wheat or teff straw provided promising performance on oyster mushroom development, growth, yield, and biological efficiency compared to the costly substrates (wheat and teff straw). Thus, water hyacinth can be considered as a low-cost substrate for mushroom cultivation and a means to control this aquatic weed from rapid spreading.

Bacteriological and Physicochemical Quality of Drinking Water in Adis Kidame Town, Northwest Ethiopia.

Drinking water pollution and the resulting waterborne diseases have been among the major public health burden in low-income countries such as Ethiopia. A high prevalence of waterborne diseases, up to 65%, has been reported in Adis Kidame Town (Ethiopia). Moreover, there have been poor waste disposal practices in this town. Thus, this study aimed to assess bacteriological and physicochemical drinking water quality in Adis Kidame Town to get insight into any potential health risks due to waterborne diseases. A total of 90 water samples were analyzed for enumeration of coliform bacteria and basic physicochemical parameters. In this study, total and faecal coliform counts (CFU/100 ml) ranged from 0 to 23 and 0 to 18, respectively. In all cases, 89 and 77% of the water samples in terms of total and faecal coliforms, respectively, did not comply with WHO guidelines. The highest level of coliforms was found in drinking water samples from households' containers and taps, where 100% and 90% of samples were tested positive for total and faecal coliforms, respectively. Among the physicochemical parameters recorded, only temperature and residual chlorine did not comply with WHO guidelines. Temperature values in all samples ranged from 20 to 28°C, while the values of residual chlorine were below the recommended range in the 56.7% of water samples from the reservoir and almost in all (96.7%) water samples from the taps and households' containers. High coliform count in the water system demands proper chlorination, regular inspection of the distribution line, and good hygienic practices to improve the microbiological quality of drinking water in Adis Kidame Town.

Bacteriological and Physicochemical Quality of Drinking Water in Wegeda Town, Northwest Ethiopia.

Waterborne diseases continue to challenge communities in low-income countries like Ethiopia. Clinical information in Wegeda town showed that the prevalence of waterborne diseases was 58%. This study aimed to evaluate bacteriological and physicochemical drinking water quality in Wegeda town. This study will add valuable scientific data for future intervention. Water samples from protected and unprotected springs, hand-dug well, taps, and households' containers were collected from November 2018 to June 2019 for bacteriological and physicochemical analyses. Besides, information about the potential risk factors was collected using a structured questionnaire. A total of 120 water samples were collected and analyzed for total and fecal coliform counts using the multiple tube fermentation method (MPN). The presence of Escherichia coli was also checked from fecal coliform positive samples collected from households' containers. Selected physicochemical parameters were also determined using the standard methods. In all cases, the median values of total and fecal coliform counts ranged from 5 to 27 and 2 to 13 MPN/100 ml, respectively. Accordingly, all of the drinking water samples did not comply with the standards. Coliforms were significantly higher in the households' containers than in the sources (p < 0.05) and also significantly varied by water sources. The highest and lowest coliform counts were recorded in unprotected spring and taps, respectively. Besides, 18.33% of water samples collected from households' containers were tested positive for E. coli. Regarding physicochemical parameters, most values were within the acceptable limit values recommended by the WHO. However, water samples from unprotected spring and hand-dug well did not satisfy the turbidity limit value set by the WHO. Drinking water systems in Wegeda town were likely contaminated with pathogenic bacteria likely due to poor protection and sanitation practices. Providing the community with potable water, toilets, domestic and animal waste disposal systems, and intensive health education and sanitation practices for the community are highly recommended.

Human Intestinal Parasitic Infections: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors among Elementary School Children in Merawi Town, Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitic infection is still common in Ethiopia. Periodic evaluation of the current status of human intestinal parasitic infections (HIPIs) is a prerequisite to controlling these health threats. This study is aimed at assessing the prevalence and determinant factors of HIPIs among elementary school-age children in Merawi town. METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study design was used among 403 children. The direct wet mount method was used to diagnose the stool samples. The sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of the respondents were collected using structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test and logistic regression. RESULTS: Out of the 403 students, the overall prevalence of HIPIs was 173 (42.9%). The magnitudes of single and double infections were 39.7% and 3.2%, respectively. Seventy-two (17.9%) were positive for Entamoeba histolytica, 63 (15.4%) for Giardia lamblia, 28 (9.6%) for Ascaris lumbricoides, 22 (6.9%) for hookworm, and 1 (0.2%) for Schistosoma mansoni. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was high in the age group of 6-11 years compared to other age groups. The following were the risk factors associated with HIPIs: groups aging 6 to 11 (AOR = 9.581; 95% CI: 0.531-17.498; P = 0.008), aging 12 to 18 (AOR = 3.047; 95% CI: 0.055-1.828; P = 0.008), not washing of hands after defecation (AOR = 3.683; 95% CI; 1.577-8.598; P = 0.003), not regularly washing of hands after defecation (AOR = 2.417; 95% CI; 1.224-4.774; P = 0.003), dirty fingernails (AOR = 2.639; 95% CI: 1.388-5.020; P = 0.003), not wearing shoes (AOR = 2.779; 95% CI: 1.267-6.096; P = 0.011), rural residence (AOR = 6.6; 95% CI; 0.06-0.351; P < 0.0001), and a family size greater than or equal to five (AOR = 2.160; 95% CI: 1.179-3.956; P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HIPIs among elementary school children in Merawi town was very high. Thus, there is a need for intensive health education for behavioral changes related to personal hygiene and mass treatment for effective control of HIPIs in the study area.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Risk Factors among the First-Cycle Primary Schoolchildren in Sasiga District, Southwest Ethiopia.

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) have been major public health burdens in low-income countries like Ethiopia. Studies in different areas of Ethiopia have shown a high prevalence of IPIs in poor families. A similar study has not been conducted in Sasiga District given that the area is possibly at high-risk of IPIs due to the prevailing risk factors. This study is aimed at assessing the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors among schoolchildren in Sasiga District, southwest Ethiopia. A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2018 to March 2019 to estimate the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors among the study participants. A total of 383 children were selected using resident-type and grade-level stratified systematic random sampling technique. Stool samples were examined microscopically using direct wet mount and formal-ether concentration techniques. A structured questionnaire was used to get information on the associated risk factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and p value of ≤0.05 was taken as statistically significant. The overall prevalence of IPIs among the children was 62.4% (239/383). Single, double, and triple infections were 49.9%, 10.7%, and 1.83%, respectively. Residence, family income, place of defecation, source of drinking water, shoe-wearing habit, handwashing habit after toilet use, ways of waste disposal, and cleanliness of fingernail were the most important predictors of IPIs (p < 0.05). Ascaris lumbricoides (22.7% (87/383)) and hookworms (20.6% (79/383)) were the most prevalent parasites, followed by Entamoeba histolytica (8.1%), Trichuris trichiura (7.6%), Giardia intestinalis (6.5%), Hymenolepis nana (5.7%), and Schistosoma mansoni (4.4%), in that order. Sasiga District primary schoolchildren are likely at a high burden of IPIs. Intensive health education on personal hygiene and environmental sanitation is needed.

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated risk factors among Jawi primary school children, Jawi town, north-west Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) have been major public health problems in low income countries primarily affecting school children. Previous studies in Ethiopia have shown high burden of intestinal parasitic infections in most children. In order to gain a deeper insight into the magnitude of the problem more information is needed from different localities where similar studies have not been conducted. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors among school children in Jawi Primary School, Jawi town, north -west Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2017 to assess the prevalence of IPIs and associated risk factors among Jawi Primary School children, Ethiopia. A total of 422 children were selected using age-stratified systematic random sampling technique. Stool samples were examined microscopically using direct wet-mount and formal-ether concentration techniques. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding the associated risk factors. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and p value < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. RESULTS: Of 406 students examined for IPIs, 235 (57.88%) were positive for one or more intestinal parasites. Single, double and triple infections were 41.9, 6.2 and 1.2%, respectively. Overall infection rate was slightly higher in males (51.85%) than in females (45.30%) though the difference was not significant. Higher prevalence rate (about 51-53%) was recorded among 6 to 18 years old children. Prevalence of Giardia lamblia was the highest (19.95%), followed by hookworm (13.8%), Schistosoma mansoni (10.3%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (5.9%), Hymenolepsis nana (4.2%), Taenia species (3%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (0.73%), in that order. Among the risk factors assessed, age, hand washing habit before meals, open field defecation habit, consistency of wearing shoes, habit of eating raw and unwashed vegetables, and finger nail cleanliness and trimming habit were found to be the most important predictors associated with high risk of IPIs (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: High prevalence of IPIs among Jawi Primary school children demands improved health education on regular hand washing, latrine use, wearing shoes, cleaning finger nails, not crossing rivers with bare foot and avoiding eating raw vegetables.