Prevalence and associated factors of intestinal parasitic infections in the school children of Sarlahi, Nepal

IF 2.4 Q3 INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Parasite Epidemiology and Control Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2026-05-02 DOI:10.1016/j.parepi.2026.e00508

Merina Lama , Janak Raj Subedi , Rajendra Prasad Parajuli

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

A large proportion of the global population is affected by intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) caused by protozoa and helminths. These infections lead to intestinal inflammation, malabsorption, and nutritional deficiencies, ultimately impairing growth and child health. This study aims to fill the knowledge gap regarding the link between nutritional status and IPIs in children over the age of five. It investigates this relationship among schoolchildren aged 6 to 17 years attending public and private schools in the Sarlahi district of Nepal. Data collection included child and adolescent interviews, anthropometric measurements, and stool sample analysis. The microscopic examination was performed using direct wet mount and concentration techniques. The overall parasitic prevalence was 30.8% (74/239), among which more females (35.3%) were infected than male children (25.2%), though this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.06). The prevalence of parasites was found more in public school (35.8%) than private school (24.5%). Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent with a prevalence of 25.0% followed by Giardia lamblia (5%), Entamoeba histolytica and E. coli (i.e., 1.7 to 1.3%, respectively). Helminth parasites were more frequent (i.e., 25.4%) than protozoan (i.e., 8.3%) parasites. Students from public schools had a significantly higher prevalence of G. lamblia infection and co-infections compared to those from private schools (p < 0.05). Barefooted Participants had significantly higher unadjusted odds of infection (cOR = 9.37; 95% CI: 1.03–85.35). Likewise, Janajati and Dalit participants showed increased odds of any IPIs (cOR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.01–4.34) compared to their reference groups. There was no significant association between IPIs and nutritional status. Despite ongoing mass deworming programs, the relatively high prevalence of IPIs among school-aged children remains concerning. Poor personal hygiene, inadequate sanitation, cohabitation with livestock, and the use of unboiled drinking water may contribute to persistent infections, particularly among females and children from Janajati and Dalit communities with lower socioeconomic status. Targeted school-based health education and hygiene promotion programs are warranted to reduce the infection burden and sustain control efforts.

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尼泊尔萨拉希学龄儿童肠道寄生虫感染的患病率及相关因素

全球很大一部分人口受到由原生动物和蠕虫引起的肠道寄生虫感染（IPIs）的影响。这些感染导致肠道炎症、吸收不良和营养缺乏，最终损害生长和儿童健康。本研究旨在填补关于营养状况与五岁以上儿童ipi之间联系的知识空白。它调查了尼泊尔萨拉希地区公立和私立学校6至17岁学童之间的这种关系。数据收集包括儿童和青少年访谈、人体测量测量和粪便样本分析。显微镜检查采用直接湿贴装和浓缩技术。总体寄生虫感染率为30.8%(74/239)，其中女性感染率（35.3%）高于男性感染率（25.2%），但差异无统计学意义（p = 0.06）。公立学校寄生虫感染率（35.8%）高于私立学校（24.5%）。其中蚓状蛔虫最常见，患病率为25.0%，其次是兰第鞭毛虫（5%）、溶组织内阿米巴和大肠杆菌（分别为1.7 ~ 1.3%）。蠕虫（25.4%）比原生动物（8.3%）更为常见。公立学校学生感染和合并感染的患病率明显高于私立学校学生（p < 0.05）。赤脚参与者的未调整感染几率明显更高（cOR = 9.37; 95% CI: 1.03-85.35）。同样，与对照组相比，Janajati和Dalit参与者显示出任何ipi的几率增加（cOR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.01-4.34）。ipi与营养状况之间无显著关联。尽管正在进行大规模驱虫计划，学龄儿童中ipi的相对较高患病率仍然令人担忧。个人卫生条件差、卫生设施不足、与牲畜同居以及使用未煮沸的饮用水可能导致持续感染，特别是在社会经济地位较低的Janajati和达利特社区的女性和儿童中。有针对性的以学校为基础的健康教育和卫生促进计划是必要的，以减少感染负担并维持控制工作。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Parasite Epidemiology and Control Medicine-Infectious Diseases

CiteScore

5.70

自引率

3.10%

发文量

审稿时长

17 weeks

期刊介绍： Parasite Epidemiology and Control is an Open Access journal. There is an increasing amount of research in the parasitology area that analyses the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. This epidemiology of parasite infectious diseases is predominantly studied in human populations but also spans other major hosts of parasitic infections and as such this journal will have a broad remit. We will focus on the major areas of epidemiological study including disease etiology, disease surveillance, drug resistance and geographical spread and screening, biomonitoring, and comparisons of treatment effects in clinical trials for both human and other animals. We will also look at the epidemiology and control of vector insects. The journal will also cover the use of geographic information systems (Epi-GIS) for epidemiological surveillance which is a rapidly growing area of research in infectious diseases. Molecular epidemiological approaches are also particularly encouraged.