Prevalence and Factors Associated with Intestinal Parasitic Infection among Children in an Urban Slum of Karachi

Abstract

BackgroundIntestinal parasitic infections are endemic worldwide and have been described as constituting the greatest single worldwide cause of illness and disease. Poverty, illiteracy, poor hygiene, lack of access to potable water and hot and humid tropical climate are the factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections. The study aimed to estimate prevalence and identify factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections among 1 to 5 years old children residing in an urban slum of Karachi Pakistan.Methods and Principal FindingsA cross sectional survey was conducted from February to June 2006 in Ghosia Colony Gulshan Town Karachi, Pakistan. A simple random sample of 350 children aged 1–5 years was collected. The study used structured pre-tested questionnaire, anthropometric tools and stool tests to obtain epidemiological and disease data. Data were analyzed using appropriate descriptive, univariate and multivariable logistic regression methods. The mean age of participants was 2.8 years and 53% were male. The proportions of wasted, stunted and underweight children were 10.4%, 58.9% and 32.7% respectively. The prevalence of Intestinal parasitic infections was estimated to be 52.8% (95% CI: 46.1; 59.4). Giardia lamblia was the most common parasite followed by Ascaris lumbricoides, Blastocystis hominis and Hymenolepis nana. About 43% children were infected with single parasite and 10% with multiple parasites. Age {Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1; 1.9}, living in rented households (aOR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.0; 3.9) and history of excessive crying (aOR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.0; 3.4) were significantly associated with intestinal parasitic infections.ConclusionsIntestinal parasites are highly prevalent in this setting and poverty was implicated as an important risk factor for infection. Effective poverty reduction programmes and promotion of deworming could reduce intestinal parasite carriage. There is a need for mass scale campaigns to create awareness about health and hygiene.

Patterns and Risk Factors of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis Among Orang Asli Subgroups in Peninsular Malaysia

“…Our finding was in agreement with the previous epidemiological studies conducted in Malaysia 5-9 and abroad. 4,22,23 This could be because as the child grows older, the exposure to the sources of infection increases. As for preschool and school-going children, they are more independent, active, and inquisitive and are interested in learning new things in their surroundings.…”

“…Lower SES and poverty were also significant risk factors for STH infections. 22,25,26 Non-working parents and family with low household income were taken as a proxy measure of poverty, which was also significantly associated with STH infections. This study reported low household income was a significant predictor for STH infections among Temuan, Semelai and Mah Meri subgroups.…”

“…[5][6][7][8][9] The effect of SES on risk of parasitic diseases in general and STH infections in particular, is complex in nature and could be attributed to several other factors such as lack of access to a clean water supply, poor personal and sanitary hygiene, inadequate basic infrastructure, low level of education attainment caused by financial constraints, overcrowding, and impoverished health services. 22,27 In such conditions, STH species are commonly co-endemic. 28 As a result, the prevalence and distribution of STH may differ from one region to another and sometimes within the country itself because of the SES and other associated risk factor variations.…”

Intestinal parasitic infections in Okada rural community, Edo State, Nigeria: a four year retrospective study

“…2 Intestinal parasitic infections deprive the poorest of health, contributing to economic instability and social marginalization. 3 Death and other serious complications can occur if cases of intestinal parasitosis are left untreated especially in children. 1 In Nigeria, intestinal parasitic infection constitutes a major public health challenge.…”

“…4 Poorly planned housing, improper waste disposal, gross environmental pollution and poor environmental situations among others are driving forces for this observation. 5 Illiteracy, absence of clean drinking water, and poverty has been shown to promote infection with intestinal parasites 3 and these factors are rife in most rural communities in Nigeria. 6,7 Although data on prevalence of human intestinal parasitic infection in Nigeria is common, there is no published data from Okada community, Edo State, Nigeria.…”