Prevalence, Pattern and Risk Factors of Soil Transmitted Helminth Infections amongst Children in a Tertiary Institution in South East, Nigeria  

作　　者：Okoro Jude Chidi Ezeogu Joseph Ogbonna Ikechukwu Frank Okoro Jude Chidi;Ezeogu Joseph;Ogbonna Ikechukwu Frank(Department of Paediatrics, Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, Nigeria;Department of Paediatrics, Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, Nigeria;Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Nigeria)

机构地区：[1]Department of Paediatrics, Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, Nigeria [2]Department of Paediatrics, Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri, Nigeria [3]Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Nigeria

出　　处：《Open Journal of Gastroenterology》2023年第8期267-277,共11页肠胃病学期刊（英文）

摘　　要：Introduction: Soil-transmitted helminthic infection (STHI) is a common public health challenge of children in the most deprived communities in low income countries. In the long-term, STHI can cause developmental and growth disorders leading to future learning defect. Objective: Our aim was to determine the prevalence and pattern of soil-transmitted helminthic infection among children attending a tertiary hospital in Imo State, Nigeria. Patients and Method: The study involved a cross-sectional survey of 268 children, aged 7 months to 18 years seen in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria;from August to December 2022. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and stool samples were analyzed for intestinal helminths using the Kato-Katz method. Results: The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic infection (STHI) was 38.4%. Of all STHIs, Ascaris lumbricoides was the commonest geohelminth observed, 81 (62.1%). Multiple infections were noted in 25 (62.4%) of the specimen. The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic infection amongst subjects’ 5 - 9 years was high and least in children older than 15 years. This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.3407). Statistically significant relationship was detected between STHI and low socioeconomic class. Conclusion: The high prevalence rate of soil-transmitted helminthic infection amongst the subjects is disturbing. This high rate justifies strengthening a structured and routine deworming amongst children in order to improve outcome.Introduction: Soil-transmitted helminthic infection (STHI) is a common public health challenge of children in the most deprived communities in low income countries. In the long-term, STHI can cause developmental and growth disorders leading to future learning defect. Objective: Our aim was to determine the prevalence and pattern of soil-transmitted helminthic infection among children attending a tertiary hospital in Imo State, Nigeria. Patients and Method: The study involved a cross-sectional survey of 268 children, aged 7 months to 18 years seen in a tertiary health facility in Nigeria;from August to December 2022. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and stool samples were analyzed for intestinal helminths using the Kato-Katz method. Results: The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic infection (STHI) was 38.4%. Of all STHIs, Ascaris lumbricoides was the commonest geohelminth observed, 81 (62.1%). Multiple infections were noted in 25 (62.4%) of the specimen. The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthic infection amongst subjects’ 5 - 9 years was high and least in children older than 15 years. This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.3407). Statistically significant relationship was detected between STHI and low socioeconomic class. Conclusion: The high prevalence rate of soil-transmitted helminthic infection amongst the subjects is disturbing. This high rate justifies strengthening a structured and routine deworming amongst children in order to improve outcome.

关 键 词：Helminthes Multiple Infections CHILDREN DEWORMING 

分 类 号：R57[医药卫生—消化系统]