Soil-transmitted helminth infections among preschool- and school-aged children in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence, risk factors and intervention strategies

Chimdi Muoghalu , Sarah Lebu , Herbert Kaboggoza , Felix Bongomin , Stephen Ochaya , Musa Manga
{"title":"Soil-transmitted helminth infections among preschool- and school-aged children in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence, risk factors and intervention strategies","authors":"Chimdi Muoghalu ,&nbsp;Sarah Lebu ,&nbsp;Herbert Kaboggoza ,&nbsp;Felix Bongomin ,&nbsp;Stephen Ochaya ,&nbsp;Musa Manga","doi":"10.1016/j.heha.2025.100118","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are widespread in India, particularly among preschool- and school-aged children (PSAC and SAC). Following PRISMA guidelines, our study systematically garnered and synthesized existing literature to provide a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of STH infections among PSAC and SAC in India. We searched four databases - PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Embase - and conducted a random-effects meta-analysis to estimate STH prevalence and assess risk factors. Additionally, we assessed the odds ratios for STH infections across various risk factors. From the 36 eligible articles, the pooled prevalence of STH infections was 27 % (95 % CI 19–36 %), with roundworm being the most common - 34 % (95 % CI 26 - 42 %). Our study results indicate that boys have higher odds of STH infections compared to girls (OR 1.29, 95 % CI 1.01–1.64), and maintaining good personal hygiene, such as regular handwashing, correlates with lower odds of STH infections (OR 0.36, 95 % CI 0.11–1.14). Current mitigation strategies in India include targeted deworming, mass drug administration (MDA), and water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions. Targeted deworming faces challenges as dewormed school children may get reinfected by adults and untreated children. MDA requires substantial resource mobilization while deeply entrenched cultural norms constrain WASH interventions. These limitations highlight the need to explore innovative strategies for sustainable solutions to the issue of STH infections in India. To reduce prevalence, we recommend preventive chemotherapy alongside context-specific improvements in WASH conditions, complemented by strategic information, communication efforts, and effective policies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":73269,"journal":{"name":"Hygiene and environmental health advances","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100118"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Hygiene and environmental health advances","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773049225000017","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"","JCRName":"","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0

Abstract

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are widespread in India, particularly among preschool- and school-aged children (PSAC and SAC). Following PRISMA guidelines, our study systematically garnered and synthesized existing literature to provide a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of STH infections among PSAC and SAC in India. We searched four databases - PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Embase - and conducted a random-effects meta-analysis to estimate STH prevalence and assess risk factors. Additionally, we assessed the odds ratios for STH infections across various risk factors. From the 36 eligible articles, the pooled prevalence of STH infections was 27 % (95 % CI 19–36 %), with roundworm being the most common - 34 % (95 % CI 26 - 42 %). Our study results indicate that boys have higher odds of STH infections compared to girls (OR 1.29, 95 % CI 1.01–1.64), and maintaining good personal hygiene, such as regular handwashing, correlates with lower odds of STH infections (OR 0.36, 95 % CI 0.11–1.14). Current mitigation strategies in India include targeted deworming, mass drug administration (MDA), and water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions. Targeted deworming faces challenges as dewormed school children may get reinfected by adults and untreated children. MDA requires substantial resource mobilization while deeply entrenched cultural norms constrain WASH interventions. These limitations highlight the need to explore innovative strategies for sustainable solutions to the issue of STH infections in India. To reduce prevalence, we recommend preventive chemotherapy alongside context-specific improvements in WASH conditions, complemented by strategic information, communication efforts, and effective policies.

Abstract Image

求助全文
约1分钟内获得全文 求助全文
来源期刊
Hygiene and environmental health advances
Hygiene and environmental health advances Environmental Science (General)
CiteScore
1.10
自引率
0.00%
发文量
0
审稿时长
38 days
×
引用
GB/T 7714-2015
复制
MLA
复制
APA
复制
导出至
BibTeX EndNote RefMan NoteFirst NoteExpress
×
提示
您的信息不完整,为了账户安全,请先补充。
现在去补充
×
提示
您因"违规操作"
具体请查看互助需知
我知道了
×
提示
确定
请完成安全验证×
copy
已复制链接
快去分享给好友吧!
我知道了
右上角分享
点击右上角分享
0
联系我们:info@booksci.cn Book学术提供免费学术资源搜索服务,方便国内外学者检索中英文文献。致力于提供最便捷和优质的服务体验。 Copyright © 2023 布克学术 All rights reserved.
京ICP备2023020795号-1
ghs 京公网安备 11010802042870号
Book学术文献互助
Book学术文献互助群
群 号:481959085
Book学术官方微信