Prevalence and associated factors of soil-transmitted helminth infections among children in previous leprosarium and non-leprosarium areas in Eastern Ethiopia: A community-based comparative study

IF 1.5 Q4 INFECTIOUS DISEASES

IJID regions Pub Date : 2025-03-20 DOI:10.1016/j.ijregi.2025.100633

Fitsum Weldegebreal , Junedin Abamecha , Ukash Umer , Getachew Kabew Mekonnen , Assefa Desalew , Temam Beshir Raru , Kedir Urgesa

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) infection is one of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that mainly affect peoples living in resource-limited settings and poor sanitation. However, the extent and potential predisposing factors of this infection among peoples living in previous leprosarium settlements in Eastern Ethiopia are not well understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and associated factors of STHs infections among children aged 1-15 years in previous leprosarium and non-leprosarium areas in Eastern Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 580 systematically selected households from November 1, 2023 to February 30, 2024. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demography, and associated factors of STHs infections. Approximately 5 g of stool sample was collected and processed using the formol-ether concentration technique. Data were entered in Epi-Data version 4.2, and analysis was performed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 26. A chi-square test was used to show statistical differences between the two groups. Binary logistic regression was performed to assess the association between independent variables and STHs infection.

Results

The overall prevalence of STHs infection was 4.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31-16.80). The prevalence was 5.7% and 3.3% among children in previous leprosarium and non-leprosarium settlements, respectively (X² = 7.98, P = 0.017). Having no habit of hand washing after helping and cleaning children who had defecated (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.26, 95% CI 1.20-5.80), (AOR = 4.90, 95% CI 2.21-9.33) and before eating (AOR = 3.25, 95% CI 1.40-11.23), (AOR = 18.70, 95% CI 9.21-38.21) was associated with STHs infection in both previous leprosarium and non-leprosarium settlements. However, having no habit of hand washing after toilet use (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.34-7.40) and contact with soil (AOR = 5.98, 95% CI 1.62-22.10) was significantly associated with STHs infection in previous leprosarium settlements only.

Conclusions

In this study, STHs infections disproportionately affect children living in previous leprosarium compared with non-leprosarium settlements. Therefore, targeted mass deworming and health information dissemination on proper hygiene and sanitation should be given to the community to alleviate the problem.

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埃塞俄比亚东部以前的麻风病区和非麻风病区儿童中土壤传播蠕虫感染的流行率及其相关因素：一项基于社区的比较研究

目的土壤传播蠕虫（STHs）感染是一种被忽视的热带病（NTDs），主要影响资源有限和卫生条件差的人群。然而，在埃塞俄比亚东部以前的麻风病定居点生活的人群中，这种感染的程度和潜在的诱发因素尚不清楚。因此，本研究的目的是比较埃塞俄比亚东部以前的麻风病区和非麻风病区1-15岁儿童中STHs感染的患病率和相关因素。方法于2023年11月1日至2024年2月30日，系统选取580户家庭进行社区比较横断面研究。采用结构化调查问卷收集社会人口学数据，以及与STHs感染相关的因素。收集约5 g粪便样本，并使用甲醛-醚浓度技术进行处理。数据在Epi-Data 4.2版本中输入，并使用SPSS 26版本进行分析。采用卡方检验显示两组间的统计学差异。采用二元logistic回归来评估自变量与STHs感染之间的关系。结果STHs总感染率为4.5%（95%可信区间[CI] 1.31 ~ 16.80）。既往麻风区和非麻风区儿童患病率分别为5.7%和3.3% （X2 = 7.98, P = 0.017）。在以前的麻风和非麻风地区，帮助和清洁排便儿童后（调整优势比[AOR] = 1.26, 95% CI 1.20-5.80）（AOR = 4.90, 95% CI 2.21-9.33）和进食前（AOR = 3.25, 95% CI 1.40-11.23）（AOR = 18.70, 95% CI 9.21-38.21）没有洗手的习惯与STHs感染相关。然而，仅在以前的麻风场所中，如厕后不洗手的习惯（AOR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.34-7.40）和接触土壤（AOR = 5.98, 95% CI 1.62-22.10）与STHs感染显著相关。结论在本研究中，与未患麻风的儿童相比，曾患麻风的儿童感染的比例更高。因此，应向社区提供有针对性的大规模驱虫和关于适当卫生和环境卫生的健康信息，以缓解这一问题。

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