Abstract
BackgroundSoil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are endemic in Honduras and efforts are underway to decrease their transmission. However, current evidence is lacking in regards to their prevalence, intensity and their impact on children's health.ObjectivesTo evaluate the prevalence and intensity of STH infections and their association with nutritional status in a sample of Honduran children.MethodologyA cross-sectional study was done among school-age children residing in rural communities in Honduras, in 2011. Demographic data was obtained, hemoglobin and protein concentrations were determined in blood samples and STH infections investigated in single-stool samples by Kato-Katz. Anthropometric measurements were taken to calculate height-for-age (HAZ), BMI-for-age (BAZ) and weight-for-age (WAZ) to determine stunting, thinness and underweight, respectively.ResultsAmong 320 children studied (48% girls, aged 7–14 years, mean 9.76±1.4) an overall STH prevalence of 72.5% was found. Children >10 years of age were generally more infected than 7–10 year-olds (p = 0.015). Prevalence was 30%, 67% and 16% for Ascaris, Trichuris and hookworms, respectively. Moderate-to-heavy infections as well as polyparasitism were common among the infected children (36% and 44%, respectively). Polyparasitism was four times more likely to occur in children attending schools with absent or annual deworming schedules than in pupils attending schools deworming twice a year (p<0.001). Stunting was observed in 5.6% of children and it was associated with increasing age. Also, 2.2% of studied children were thin, 1.3% underweight and 2.2% had anemia. Moderate-to-heavy infections and polyparasitism were significantly associated with decreased values in WAZ and marginally associated with decreased values in HAZ.ConclusionsSTH infections remain a public health concern in Honduras and despite current efforts were highly prevalent in the studied community. The role of multiparasite STH infections in undermining children's nutritional status warrants more research.
Highlights
Polyparasitism was four times more likely to occur in children attending schools with absent or annual deworming schedules than in pupils attending schools deworming twice a year (p,0.001)
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections remain a public health concern in Honduras and despite current efforts were highly prevalent in the studied community
Honduras is among 30 countries in the Americas that are endemic for soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, which are caused by four species of intestinal nematodes: the common roundworm, Ascaris lumbricoides; the whipworm, Trichuris trichiura; and the hookworms, Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale [1]
Summary
Honduras is among 30 countries in the Americas that are endemic for soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections, which are caused by four species of intestinal nematodes: the common roundworm, Ascaris lumbricoides; the whipworm, Trichuris trichiura; and the hookworms, Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale [1]. The health impact of these infections is more dramatic in children, for whom STH show a particular predilection [2] partly due to their differential exposure to contaminated soil. Health adverse effects such as anemia, growth stunting, protein-calorie malnutrition, fatigue, and poor cognitive development tend to occur and persist in populations affected by STH [3], and all too often, helminth infections are seen as normal and unavoidable part of life in endemic populations [4]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), two thirds of Honduran children aged 1–14 years require preventive chemotherapy (PC) for STH [1]. Current evidence is lacking in regards to their prevalence, intensity and their impact on children’s health
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