Open AccessPrevalence of Necator americanus infection and risk factors among school-age children in Mirab Abaya District, South Ethiopia
Author(s) -
Habtamu Ketema,
Abdissa Biruksew,
Zeleke Mekonnen
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
asian pacific journal of tropical disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.208
H-Index - 33
ISSN - 2222-1808
DOI - 10.1016/s2222-1808(14)60798-2
Subject(s) - necator americanus , hookworm infection , hookworm infections , anemia , medicine , personal hygiene , hygiene , confidence interval , health education , environmental health , pediatrics , helminths , immunology , public health , ascaris lumbricoides , nursing , family medicine , pathology
Objective: To determine prevalence of hookworms, species identification, risk factors and its\udcontribution to anemia in school-age children.\udMethods: In 2013, a cross-sectional study of intestinal parasitic infections was conducted\udamong 423 school-age children in three primary schools. Data on socio-demographic variables\udand risk factors were collected using pre-tested questionnaire. Stool samples were processed\udusing Kato-Katz thick smear technique and hemoglobin values were determined by HemoCue\udon capillary blood. Finally, positive samples containing ova of hookworms were cultured by\udmodified Harada-Mori technique for species identification.\udResults: Overall prevalence of hookworm infection was 10.4% (44/423). The predominant\udspecies identified was Necator americanus (43/44). Prevalence of anemia among the children\udwas 4.5%. Hookworm infection was not significantly associated with anemia (P = 0.98),\udhowever, lack of footwear showed significant association with hookworm infection (AOR =\ud2.39, 95% confidence interval: 1.172-4.867; P = 0.02).\udConclusions: We conclude hookworm infection is relatively high among schoolchildren.\udAlthough our result shows no significant association between the infection and anemia, the\udobserved prevalence of hookworm and anemia warrants a serious health problem among\udstudy participants. Proper intervention methods that include health education, personal and\udenvironmental hygiene are recommended. If possible children should be encouraged to wear\udshoes regularly