High intestinal parasite infection detected in children from Región Autónoma Atlántico Norte (R.A.A.N.) of Nicaragua

Abstract

There is a lack of epidemiological information concerning intestinal parasitic infections, and especially in soil-transmitted helminths, occurring in some departments of Nicaragua. Up to now, this is the first study involving two nearby areas (Puerto Cabezas and Siuna municipalities) of the Región Autónoma Atlántico Norte (R.A.A.N.). One stool sample was analyzed by Kato-Katz, formaldehyde-ethyl acetate concentration method and modified Ziehl–Neelsen technique, and a simple questionnaire concerning demographic, sanitary and behavioral data was distributed among 735 children and evaluated. Overall prevalence of infection reached 97.0%, being the highest prevalences detected in all Nicaragua. The higher protozoan prevalence appears in Siuna (94.5%), a rural interior municipality, with a typical tropical monsoon climate, while the higher helminths rates were reached in Puerto Cabezas (92.8%), the urbanized coastal capital, with a typical tropical rainforest climate. No statistical differences were found with regard to sex. However, the 6–11-year age-group children presented the highest prevalences. Most T. trichiura infections (59.4%) were of light intensity, while 51.7% of Ascaris lumbricoides were of moderate intensity. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that those who drink rainwater and walk barefoot were 2.9 and 2.5 times more likely to have helminth infections, respectively. Results from one geographical setting might not be applied to other nearby with different climatic conditions. The use of anthelmintic drugs only will not be sufficient to bring prevalence to low levels. It is necessary to design geographically more specific intervention, with communication and interaction between different disciplines (e.g. parasitology, biochemistry, molecular biology, epidemiology, public health, etc.) being imperative to reduce STH infection.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections among Schoolchildren around Lake Tana, Northwest Ethiopia

“…Students who did not wear shoes at all were nearly thirty times more likely infected with STH than students who frequently wear protective shoes. Similar associations between STH and shoes wearing habits were reported in Ethiopia [ 46 , 69 , 70 ], Kenya [ 48 ], and Nicaragua [ 71 ]. Shoe-wearing habits are the major risk factors for hookworm infection.…”

Faktor Risiko Sanitasi terhadap Infeksi Soil-Transmitted Helminth di Pemukiman Lahan Basah

“…Infeksi STH dapat menimbulkan kerugian, yaitu dapat menyebabkan kekurangan darah (anemia), mudah letih dan menurunya prestasi anak dalam belajar (Nainggolan, 2022). Infeksi STH pada anak-anak juga dapat menyebabkan komplikasi parah seperti malabsorpsi, malnutrisi, gangguan pertumbuhan dan perkembangan, diare serta konsekuensi fisik dan mental (Muñoz-Antoli et al, 2022). Morbiditas dan mortalitas akibat infeksi STH berhubungan dengan jumlah cacing pada orang yang terinfeksi, serta usia dan imunitas (Pasaribu et al, 2019).…”

“…Prevalensi infeksi STH juga terjadi pada anak-anak sebesar 28,5% di Bagamoyo, distrik di wilayah pesisir Tanzania (Salim et al, 2015). Sedangkan Prevalensi infeksi STH sebesar 61,6% pada anak-anak di Nicaragua, yang memiliki garis pantai yang panjang di sepanjang Laut Karibia (Muñoz-Antoli et al, 2022). Terlihat bahwa di pemukiman lahan basah pun, terdapat kejadian infeksi STH.…”

“…Anak yang terinfeksi STH memanfaatkan sumber air dari sungai untuk cuci tangan, mandi dan sikat gigi (Annita et al, 2021). Penelitian sebelumnya menyatakan bahwa sumber air bersih untuk masak dan minum berhubungan dengan kejadian infeksi STH (Lailatusyifa et al, 2022)(Muñoz-Antoli et al, 2022. Air bersih yang tidak memenuhi syarat di rumah akan berisiko 2,7 kali terjadinya infeksi STH (Paridah et al, 2021).…”