Abstract
BackgroundHonduras is endemic for soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, but critical information gaps still remain on the prevalence and intensity of these infections as well as on their spatial distribution at subnational levels.ObjectivesFirstly, to review the research activity on STH infections in Honduras and secondly, to carry out a national prevalence analysis and map the geographical distribution of these infections in children.MethodsA systematic search was conducted of the published and grey literature to identify scientific work on the impact and prevalence of STH infections done between May 1930 and June 30, 2012. International databases and Honduran journals were searched. Grey literature was gleaned from local libraries and key informants. Select studies conducted between 2001 and 2012 were used to produce prevalence maps and to investigate association between STH prevalence and socio-economic and environmental factors.ResultsOf 257 identified studies, 211 (21.4% peer-reviewed) were retained for analysis and categorized as clinical research (10.9%), treatment efficacy studies (8.1%) or epidemiological studies (81%). Prevalence analysis and geographical mapping included 36 epidemiological studies from Honduras's 18 departments and 23% of its municipalities. Overall STH prevalence was >50% in 40.6% of municipalities. Prevalences above 20% for each trichuriasis, ascariasis, and hookworm infection were found in 68%, 47.8%, and 7.2% of studied municipalities, respectively. Municipalities with lower human development index, less access to of potable water, and with higher annual precipitation showed higher STH prevalences.ConclusionsThis is the first study to provide a comprehensive historic review of STH research activity and prevalence in Honduras, revealing important knowledge gaps related to infection risk factors, disease burden, and anti-parasitic drug efficacy, among others. Our decade-long prevalence analysis reveals geographical differences in STH prevalence and these findings suggest that differential intervention strategies might be necessary in Honduras for the control of these infections.
Highlights
Intestinal parasites including soil-transmitted helminths (STH) have been long recognized as public health problems in much of the developing world [1]
Soil-transmitted helminthiases are caused by four species of intestinal worms, namely, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and the two hookworm species Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus [2]
Recent studies have shown that soil-transmitted helminthiases and other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) cause a great burden among poor populations living in wealthy nations, including the United States [7,8]
Summary
Intestinal parasites including soil-transmitted helminths (STH) have been long recognized as public health problems in much of the developing world [1]. Recent studies have shown that soil-transmitted helminthiases and other neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) cause a great burden among poor populations living in wealthy nations, including the United States [7,8]. And due to their widespread distribution and chronic nature, STH infections pose a high burden in endemic populations [2,4,9] among which, children and youth are disproportionally affected [10,11]. As a highly effective and immediate intervention for reducing STH morbidity in high risk groups, the World Health organization (WHO) recommends to all disease-endemic countries periodic administration of anthelminthic medication (a strategy called preventive chemotherapy, PC) [12,13]. Honduras is endemic for soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, but critical information gaps still remain on the prevalence and intensity of these infections as well as on their spatial distribution at subnational levels
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