Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Risk Factors among School Children in Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kirinyaga County, Kenya.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections and Associated Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Risk Factors among School Children in Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kirinyaga County, Kenya. J Trop Med. 2020;2020:3974156 Authors: Njambi E, Magu D, Masaku J, Okoyo C, Njenga SM Abstract School children bear a significant burden of intestinal parasitic infections. Because they spend most of their time at home and school, it is necessary to identify the key water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) factors associated with these infections in both environments. This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in Mwea West, Kirinyaga County. 180 primary school children aged 8-14 years were randomly selected from three schools (Mianya, Mbui Njeru, and Mukou primary schools). Questionnaires and checklists were administered and single stool samples were collected. Stool samples were microscopically examined for Schistosoma mansoni, soil-transmitted helminths, and protozoan infections. Data on WASH were obtained at home and school. The factors significantly associated with S. mansoni and intestinal protozoa infections in the school children were determined using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models reporting the odds ratio at 95% confidence intervals. The overall prevalence of S. mansoni and intestinal protozoa infections was 70.5% (95% CI: 59.1-84.3) and 32.7% (95% CI: 26.8-40.1), respectively. Only one case of STH (A. lumbricoides) was identi...
Source: Journal of Tropical Medicine - Category: Tropical Medicine Tags: J Trop Med Source Type: research