Intestinal parasitic infection among rural schoolchildren in Taiz, Yemen: School-based assessment of the prevalence and associated risk factors

Abstract

Summary Yemen is an underdeveloped country plagued by poverty, disease, and social conflicts. Furthermore, most of the population lives in rural areas and is vulnerable to intestinal parasite infections (IPI). School-based cross-sectional studies were conducted between 1 February and 31 March 2019 among schoolchildren in rural communities in the Sabir Almawadim and Almawasit districts of Taiz, southwest Yemen. A structured questionnaire collected information regarding sociodemographic characteristics and risk factors. Wet mount and formol-ether concentration techniques were used to detect and identify intestinal parasites in stool specimens. The stool specimens were collected from each study participant using a clean, leak-proof, and adequately labeled stool cup. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS version 20. Of the 478 students screened for intestinal parasites, 245 (51.26 %) had at least one parasite. The prevalence of protozoa was higher than helminths (30.3 % versus 20.9 %, respectively). The percentages of single, double, and triple infections were 37.4 %, 4.4 %, and 1.7 %, respectively. Giardia lamblia was the most prevalent pathogen (15.5 %), followed by E. hisrolyrica/dispar (14.9 %), Schistosoma mansoni (13.3 %), Ascaris lumbricoides (3.8 %), Trichuris trichiura (2.9 %), and Enterobius vermicularis (1.3 %). Multivariate analysis confirmed that practicing unwashed hands before eating, open field defecation, unwashed fruits and vegetables, and dirty unclipped fingernails were the most significant predictors of high risk of IPIs (p <0.05). Regarding Schistosoma mansoni, multivariate analysis identified the behaviors of practicing swimming in the river/ponds and practicing open defecation, especially near water sources, as independent risk factors for Schistosoma mansoni infection among schoolchildren. The current study showed that rural areas in Taiz were significantly infected with IPIs, showing that IPIs remains a significant public health problem in low-income communities. Consequently, prevention efforts should focus on treating and deworming schoolchildren regularly, promoting health education in rural schools, conducting personal hygiene inspections for students, and ensuring that schools have sanitary facilities.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Children Attending Some Schools in Amran Governorate, Yemen

“…The findings of this study revealed that the overall proportion of intestinal parasites detected among participants was 48%. This finding is lower than what is reported in a previous study conducted in Yemen that documented the frequency rate of parasite infection at 58.7% in Hadramowat [11], 90% in Al-Mahweet [16], 62.7% in Ibb [14], 73.25% in Hajjah [17], 61.85% in Sana'a [18], 51.26% in Taiz [19], and 61.85% in Amran [20]. Moreover, this finding is reported lower in different countries: 29.4% in Ethiopia [21], 46.2% in Egypt [3], 15% in Ghana [22], and 5.3% in Saudi Arabia [23].…”

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Children Attending Some Schools in Amran Governorate, Yemen

“…The ndings of this study revealed that the overall proportion of intestinal parasites detected among participants was 48%. This nding is lower than reported in a previous study conducted in Yemen that documented the frequency rate of parasite infection at 58.7% in Hadramowat [11], 90% in Al-Mahweet [16], 62.7% in Ibb [14], 73.25% in Hajjah [17], 61.85% in Sana'a [18], 51.26% in Taiz [19], and 61.85% in Amran [20].…”

Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections among pregnant women in Taiz Governorate, Yemen: A hospital-based study

“…In Yemen, there's no strategy or program for eradicating or controlling parasitic infections, especially during the civil war since 2014. Yemen has a high prevalence of IPI infection, and the extent of infection varies from place to place, primarily due to poor quality drinking water supply and unsanitary living conditions (Alharazi, 2022;Al-Yousofi et al, 2022). Most previous studies conducted in Yemen involving parasitic infections have focused mainly on preschoolers and schoolchildren (Alharazi, 2021;Alsubaie et al, 2016;Alwabr et al, 2016;Edrees et al, 2022).…”