Poor Sanitary Conditions Research Articles

Healthy Cities or Unhealthy Islands? The Health and Social Implications of Urban Inequality

This paper suggests that governments and international agencies must address the large and often growing levels of inequality within most cities if health is to be improved and poverty reduced. It describes the social and health implications of inequalities within cities and discusses why descriptions of the physical symptoms of poverty (and their health implications) are more common than analyses of the structural systems which produce and perpetuate poverty. It also describes the health problems from which low-income groups in urban areas suffer more than richer groups including those that are not linked to poor sanitary conditions and those that are more linked to relative poverty (and thus the level of inequality) than to absolute poverty.

Unsafe Drinking Water Is Associated with Environmental Enteric Dysfunction and Poor Growth Outcomes in Young Children in Rural Southwestern Uganda.

.Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), a subclinical disorder of the small intestine, and poor growth are associated with living in poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions, but specific risk factors remain unclear. Nested within a birth cohort study, this study investigates relationships among water quality, EED, and growth in 385 children living in southwestern Uganda. Water quality was assessed using a portable water quality test when children were 6 months, and safe water was defined as lacking Escherichia coli contamination. Environmental enteric dysfunction was assessed using the lactulose:mannitol (L:M) test at 12–16 months. Anthropometry and covariate data were extracted from the cohort study, and associations were assessed using linear and logistic regression models. Less than half of the households (43.8%) had safe water, and safe versus unsafe water did not correlate with improved versus unimproved water source. In adjusted linear regression models, children from households with safe water had significantly lower log-transformed (ln) L:M ratios (β: −0.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.44, −0.00) and significantly higher length-for-age (β: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.58) and weight-for-age (β: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.34) Z-scores at 12–16 months. Furthermore, in adjusted linear regression models, ln L:M ratios at 12–16 months significantly decreased with increasing length-for-age Z-scores at birth, 6 months, and 9 months (β: −0.05, 95% CI: −0.10, −0.004; β: −0.06, 95% CI: −0.11, −0.006; and β: −0.05, 95% CI: −0.09, −0.005, respectively). Overall, our data suggest that programs seeking to improve nutrition should address poor WASH conditions simultaneously, particularly related to household drinking water quality.

THE IMMUNE RESPONSE IN WORM INFECTION AT PUSKESMAS TANJUNG KARANG IN MATARAM

Abstrac: A worm infection can decrease sufferers’ health condition, nutrition, intelligence and their productivity thus, it can cause numerous of disadvantages economically. The immune response to worm infection begins with Th2 activation with a significant increase of IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-10 and IL-13. The cytokines IL-5 that formed stimulates the growth and activation of eosinophils. The purpose of this research was to know the immune response by increasing the number of eosinophils to worm infection rate at Puskesmas Tanjung Karang. The research design was expost facto with cross sectional or transversal. The sample was communities’ faces and blood at Puskesmas Tanjung Karang as many as 50 people. The technique sampling was random from family members who have worm risk factors (poor sanitation conditions, living near animal cage, ground floor houses, pets such as dogs and cats). The correlation analysis of worm infection with eosinophils used Mann Whitney Test. The results showed that the prevalence of worm infection belong to mild category for Trichurin trichura was 10%, and the overall worm infection was 12% whereas the average number of eosinophils in the normal category was between 50-300 cells / mm². The results of statistical analysis were not significant (Asymp. Sig. 0.059) which means that there was no effect of the immune response with the number of eosinophils on the level of worminfection at Puskesmas Tanjung Karang.Keywords: Immune response, eosinophil, worm infection.

Outbreak of Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Displaced Persons Camps in Diffa Region, Niger, 2017.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in developing countries is associated with poor hygiene, lack of clean drinking water, and inadequate sanitation. In this study, we report the first case investigation and describe the present situation of HEV outbreak within displaced persons camps in the Diffa region, Republic of Niger. The investigation showed the outbreak to be closely linked to unclean water supply, low hygiene, and sanitation facility standards. Between January and September 2017, a total of 1,917 HEV suspect cases were recorded from which 736 (38.4%) have been confirmed positive for HEV by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Overall, 38 (1.9%) deaths were recorded, including 17 (44.7%) pregnant women. The ongoing outbreak highlights poor drinking water quality and sanitation conditions in displaced persons camps in the Diffa region. Disease containment and patient care activities, particularly for pregnant women, may have resulted in decreased transmission of infection and deaths.

Prevalence of non-pathogenic types of gastrointestinal protozoa in population in Slovakia and their potential importance in the aspect of public health.

The aim of the research was to determine the prevalence of non-pathogenic protozoa circulating in the human population of Slovakia. We particularly focused on the socially deprived areas with poor sanitation conditions, as they are one of the factors affecting the transmission of these infections. Within this study, 2760 people were coprologically screened for the presence of protozoan cysts. The analyzed group comprised 1173 men and 1587 women from different regions of Slovakia. The total prevalence (2.03%) of non-pathogenic protozoa species was determined. The prevalence of Entamoeba coli was 0.80%, the prevalence of Endolimax nana 0.58%, and the prevalence of Blastocystis hominis was 0.65%. The presence of non-pathogenic protozoa was more frequent in women than that in men, in all age groups. The highest incidence of Entamoeba coli was found in children aged one month - seven years (0.79%), the lowest in the age group of 19-88 years (0.66%). Endolimax nana was most frequent in 8-18 year-olds (0.95%), where the statistical significance was found (p<0.05). The prevalence of Blastocystis hominis by the age group ranged from 0.39 to 0.95%. We did not find any statistical significance (p>0.05) for Entamoeba coli, and similarly for Blastocystis hominis associated with the sex and age. Although the circulation of non-pathogenic protozoa in the human population is far from being limited to the developing countries, their occurrence is also frequent in the population of developed countries. Despite their controversial pathogenicity, they should not be neglected, particularly in the patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.

Knowledge of Chikungunya Fever Among Medical Students of Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan

ObjectiveChikungunya is a viral disease characterized by severe arthralgia, fever, rash, muscle pain, and neurological symptoms. Warm and humid weather, poor sanitary conditions, and improper water storage and disposal can lead to an uncontrolled outbreak of the Chikungunya virus in South Asia. Because a vaccine against the Chikungunya virus has not yet been developed, we must rely on appropriate awareness and suitable preventive measures to prevent its spread. A review of the literature shows that knowledge of the Chikungunya virus among medical students in Karachi is scarce. Because medical students are future medical practitioners, they should be adequately aware of this growing issue.Materials and methodsWe performed a single-center, cross-sectional study at the Jinnah Sindh Medical University in Karachi, Pakistan, in which 200 students were assessed on their knowledge of the Chikungunya virus and fever via a structured questionnaire.ResultsA total of 200 students participated in the study. The mean age of the study participants was 20 ± 1 years. Only 50% of the study participants had an adequate knowledge score related to the Chikungunya virus and fever. We found that 43% had an average knowledge, and 7% had poor knowledge. The study also revealed a strong association between year of study and knowledge score (p=0.003); those in the higher age group had more knowledge (p=0.014).ConclusionA low percentage of medical students have sufficient knowledge about Chikungunya virus and fever, which is alarming because Pakistan has recently faced a severe epidemic of Chikungunya virus fever and is a country prone to further outbreaks. Multiple training programs and lectures are necessary to prepare and educate medical students about both basic and clinical knowledge of Chikungunya.

Strengthening a Hybrid Model in Improving Sanitation in Informal Settlements of East African Cities

Sanitation is a basic human right and poor sanitation and insanitary conditions are a threat to the health of the whole population. The policy brief argues that rather than promoting market or state-led approaches, combining the two is a more useful approach in improving sanitation in the informal settlements of East Africa Cities.

Undernutrition and associated factors among children aged 6-59 months living in slum areas of Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundMany people, especially in developing countries such as Ethiopia, are migrating to cities. The majority of these people have settled in slum areas, which often have poor sanitation and housing conditions. Therefore, this study was conducted to gather evidence on nutritional status and associated factors among children aged 6–59 months living in slum areas of Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was carried out from 3 to 28 May 2017. A total of 593 children from the slum areas aged 6–59 months were included in the study. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify the independent determinants of stunting and wasting.ResultsThe overall prevalences of stunting and wasting were 42.3% (95% CI 38.34, 46.3%) and 7.3% (95% CI 5.3, 9.4%), respectively. Poor wealth status (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] =1.79; 95% CI 1.19, 2.70) and age of child 24–35 months (AOR=2.56; 95% CI 1.32, 4.96), 36–47 months (AOR=2.27; 95% CI 1.14, 4.54) and 48–59 months (AOR=2.69; 95% CI 1.35, 5.32) were independently associated with stunting. Similarly, presence of a fever in the previous 2 weeks (AOR=2.29; 95% CI 1.20, 4.38) and paternal control over resources (AOR=3.66; 95% CI 1.12, 11.04) were associated with wasting. Children of uneducated mothers (AOR=3.30; 95% CI 1.29, 8.46) were also more likely to be wasted.ConclusionThis study illustrates that undernutrition is prevalent in the slum areas of Gondar city and is a critical public health problem. Therefore, attention should be targeted at economically disadvantaged children living in slum areas. In addition, there is a need to improve medical awareness of families with young children in these areas and increase the health-seeking behavior of these families, primarily by focusing on maternal education. Increasing women’s decision-making autonomy over household resources is also recommended to address the problem.

Study on Hepatitis A Virus and Hepatitis E Virus Co-infection

Background: Both hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) are the leading causes of acute viral hepatitis in developing countries due to their poor sanitary conditions and still remain as a significant public health concern. Although these viruses spread by the fecal-oral route or through contaminated water and food, HEV infection can be transmitted through animals to humans and has been recognized as a zoonotic disease. Several studies have indicated that the superinfection of HEV or HAV in patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C is common and can result in severe diseases and poorer outcomes, which mean emphasis should be placed to take appropriate measures to diagnose and treat those patients. However, there are few studies about the co-infection of HEV and HAV in patients. The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of co-infection of HEV and HAV in patients, and to investigate HEV and HAV infection among various animals which can be the potential hosts. Methods & Materials: 46 serum samples of patients diagnosed as hepatitis A or hepatitis E and 555 fecal samples of 12 animal species were collected. Anti-HEV IgM and anti-HAV IgM were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). HEV RNA and HAV RNA were extracted from serum and fecal samples and amplified by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-nPCR). Results: 10.9% (5/46) of the patients were co-infected with both viruses (HAV&HEV). 15% (18/120) of rabbit fecal samples and 17.5% (7/40) of swine fecal samples were positive for HEV RNA. HAV RNA was detected in 2.5% (2/80) of ferret fecal samples. Conclusion: This study showed that patients co-infected with both HAV and HEV is not infrequent in our study cohort and ferrets might be the potential animal reservoirs of HAV.

Avaliação de indicadores higiênico-sanitários em leite in natura comercializado em Caruaru, Brasil

Esse estudo objetivou avaliar o leite in natura comercializado em Caruaru, localizada no Nordeste do Brasil, através de ensaios físico-químicos e bacteriológicos. Os testes físico-químicos foram baseados e interpretados de acordo com a Instrução Normativa 69/2006 e a comparação dos resultados foram realizadas de acordo com a Instrução Normativa 62/2011 do Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento. A investigação bacteriológica incluiu a pesquisa e estimativa do número mais provável de coliformes totais e fecais, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, e contagem de Staphylococcus aureus. A presença de sangue foi evidenciada em 6,7% das amostras e 70% apresentaram positividade para a presença de exsudato inflamatório. A presença de coliformes totais foi reportada em todas as amostras e 96,6% apresentaram positividade para coliformes fecais. Um total de 70% das amostras apresentou-se inapropriado para o processo de pasteurização e todas foram positivas para a presença de S. aureus, cuja contagem variou de 7 x 103 a 1,8 x 106 UFC/ml. As amostras analisadas foram também positivas para P. aeruginosa, das quais 90% destas apresentaram NMP/100ml&gt;110. O leite in natura comercializado em Caruaru possui baixa qualidade sanitária e apresenta-se inapropriado para consumo humano. A facilidade de aquisição do produto demonstra a necessidade de maior vigilância pelas agências específicas.

Amoebic Liver Abscess and Indigenous Alcoholic Beverages in the Tropics.

Amoebic liver abscess (ALA) seen commonly in the tropics is predominantly confined to adult males, especially those who consume locally brewed alcohol, although intestinal amoebiasis occurs in all age groups and in both genders. Whether the role of alcohol in the development of ALA is incidental and casual or whether alcohol is causally implicated has been debated. It has been argued that socioeconomic factors and poor sanitary conditions are the primary culprits that casually link alcohol to ALA. However, there has emerged an abundance of data that implicates alcohol in a more causal role in facilitating the extraintestinal invasion of the infective protozoan and the subsequent development of ALA. These factors include the role of alcohol in host immunity, parasitic proliferation, and invasion and in creating a conducive hepatic microenvironment. The contributory role of alcohol-induced increase in hepatic iron stores and lipid content is discussed. Late-stage liver disease with fibrosis seems to be protective for the development of ALA. Further research is necessary to elucidate the many possible mechanisms that predispose to hepatic amoebiasis, so that appropriate individual and population-based preventive measures can be implemented.

Assessment of Hygiene Conditions in Sudanese Airlines Catering at Khartoum International Airport

Background: Food safety has been recognized as a matter of importance to the airlines industry and airports must have the capacity to ensure a safe environment for passengers using point of entry facilities, including flight catering and other potential risks. The risk of food getting contaminated depends largely on the knowledge and practice of proper food hygiene measures among food handlers. The study aimed to assess the hygiene conditions in airlines catering services units at Khartoum Airport; to evaluate the level of knowledge and practice of food handlers towards food hygiene in addition to identify the microbial load on food handler’s hands.Methodology: Four airlines catering services units at Khartoum International Airport were studied. The data were collected by using structured questionnaire to assess food handler's knowledge onfood hygiene and their practices including 100 samples (56 samples from catering 1, 22 catering 2, 12 catering 3 and 10 samples from catering 4). Observational check list was used to assess the physical characteristics and hygienic situation in airlines catering premises and food handlers. Microbiological examinations used for Total Plate Count (TPC), isolate and identification Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and salmonella. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 16.0).Results: The study showed that 56% of food handlers have higher secondary school certificate, 83% of food handlers knew causative agent of food borne disease,72% knew when washed their work surfaces and 72% knew how to care with open lesions during food handling. Analysis showed significant difference (p=0.023) between respondents’ knowledge and their educational level. More than half (58%) of food handlers did not report during illness; only 42% received training in food hygiene. seventy five percent of the catering managers were not trained on food safety management system. There was statistically significant difference between trained (professional) handlers and non-trained handlers with regard to food hygiene practices (P =0.038). Fifty percent of catering premises were in bad situation (ventilation, cleaning, lightening, pest control) and poor hand washing facilities; only 25% of these catering have quality control system. The highest bacterial count from the hands samples was 8.5x106 CFU /mland the lowest 1.2x106 CFU /ml; 54.5% of sample tested positive for E. coli; 72.7% for S. aureus and 36.6% for salmonella from food handler’s hands.Conclusion: This study revealed poor sanitary conditions in airlines catering, and poor food hygiene practices of some handlers indicating higher probability of food being contaminated before service. The occurrence of indicator microorganisms in most of the hand samples indicating a need for improvement in the environment hygiene and sanitary facilities. The study recommends hygiene education to improve the knowledge and practices of food handlers.

Socioeconomic risk markers of leprosy in high-burden countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Over 200,000 new cases of leprosy are detected each year, of which approximately 7% are associated with grade-2 disabilities (G2Ds). For achieving leprosy elimination, one of the main challenges will be targeting higher risk groups within endemic communities. Nevertheless, the socioeconomic risk markers of leprosy remain poorly understood. To address this gap we systematically reviewed MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, LILACS and Web of Science for original articles investigating the social determinants of leprosy in countries with > 1000 cases/year in at least five years between 2006 and 2016. Cohort, case-control, cross-sectional, and ecological studies were eligible for inclusion; qualitative studies, case reports, and reviews were excluded. Out of 1,534 non-duplicate records, 96 full-text articles were reviewed, and 39 met inclusion criteria. 17 were included in random-effects meta-analyses for sex, occupation, food shortage, household contact, crowding, and lack of clean (i.e., treated) water. The majority of studies were conducted in Brazil, India, or Bangladesh while none were undertaken in low-income countries. Descriptive synthesis indicated that increased age, poor sanitary and socioeconomic conditions, lower level of education, and food-insecurity are risk markers for leprosy. Additionally, in pooled estimates, leprosy was associated with being male (RR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.06–1.67), performing manual labor (RR = 2.15, 95% CI = 0.97–4.74), suffering from food shortage in the past (RR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.05–1.85), being a household contact of a leprosy patient (RR = 3.40, 95% CI = 2.24–5.18), and living in a crowded household (≥5 per household) (RR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.14–1.67). Lack of clean water did not appear to be a risk marker of leprosy (RR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.65–1.35). Additionally, ecological studies provided evidence that lower inequality, better human development, increased healthcare coverage, and cash transfer programs are linked with lower leprosy risks. These findings point to a consistent relationship between leprosy and unfavorable economic circumstances and, thereby, underscore the pressing need of leprosy control policies to target socially vulnerable groups in high-burden countries.

Contextualising urban resilience in Ghana: Local perspectives and experiences

Climate change and unplanned urban growth remain two emerging environmental and health threats with widespread implications for poor countries. Yet, despite attempts by governments and international organisations at addressing these challenges, they remain unabated. Understanding the challenges through a resilience lens can support actions for addressing these impacts. Regardless of this potential, the application of urban resilience to sustainable urban environments remains a distant reality in areas most vulnerable to the impacts of these environmental and health threats. Understanding of the application of the resilience concept to urban development and its outcomes are limited in Ghana. This study fills this gap by focusing on: the extent of climate change in the city of Kumasi; local experiences of major unplanned urban growth challenges in Kumasi; local understanding of urban resilience; and efforts towards urban resilience. Using institutional interviews and household surveys, findings indicate a rising trend of temperature and unpredictable rainfall pattern in Kumasi. This situation is generating negative consequences such as flooding, destruction of ecologically sensitive areas, and related diseases such as malaria. Complicating matters further are the impacts of unplanned urban growth, including poor sanitation conditions, inadequate social services, and poor housing conditions. Unfortunately, despite these challenges, there is limited understanding of urban resilience in Kumasi, amongst both urban planning related institutions and local communities. As a consequence, institutional initiatives towards urban resilience are uncoordinated and incomprehensive.

Hubungan Tingkat Kejadian Karies Gigi Dengan Status Gizi Anak Usia 6 -7 Tahun Di SD Inpres Kaniti Kecamatan Kupang Tengah Kabupaten Kupang

Dental caries is a dental and oral health problem for the majority of the Indonesian population. Dental caries affects most children. Caries that occur in children is often not treated or treated, resulting in a toothache. This condition can have an impact on the general health of the child where the frequency of eating will decrease, resulting in disruption of growth and development that will affect the nutritional status of the child. Nutritional problems are caused by many factors that are interrelated both directly and indirectly. Directly affected by infectious diseases and insufficient nutrition in quantity and quality, while indirectly influenced by the range and quality of health services, inadequate parenting, poor sanitation conditions and low food security at the household level. This study aims to determine the relationship between the incidence of dental caries in children with the nutritional status of children aged 6-7 years SDI Kaniti Kabupaten Kupang in 2016. Data collection was carried out by performing dental examinations and measuring height and weight. The incidence rate of dental caries aged 6-7 years old SDI Kaniti Kabupaten Kupang in 2016 was in the high category (30.76%) and very high (37.17%) with an average 3-6 cavities and nutritional status of children aged 6- 7 years SDN Kaniti Kabupaten Kupang in 2016 was categorized as obese (26.92%) and normal (67.94%), so there was no correlation between the incidence of dental caries on the nutritional status of 6-7-year-olds in Kaniti Regency Kupang in 2016 because children who had high and very high caries incidence has fat and normal nutritional status. It is recommended to conduct further research on the factors that influence the high incidence of dental caries in children aged 6-7 years at SDN Kaniti, Kupang Tengah District, Kupang Regency.

Parasitosis con manifestaciones clínicas gastrointestinales

Parasitic infections of the gastrointestinal tract cause significant morbidity and mortality. Despite being more prevalent in developing countries with poor sanitary conditions, these infections occur worldwide, as immigration, international travel, dietary changes and food importation have resulted in an increased incidence of intestinal parasitosis, which compels us to be aware of this infection. In the developed world, protozoans are more frequently associated with gastrointestinal tract infections than are helminths. The clinical manifestations of these infections vary according to the parasite involved and the area of the gastrointestinal system that has been affected. These parasites often survive within the digestive tract for extended periods, although they can occasionally result in severe symptoms. The diagnosis of these infections is based on the patient's epidemiological history, immune status and clinical manifestations, as well as the ruling out of other gastrointestinal diseases and the results of microbiological tests.

Biomonitoring of the mesoplanktonic community in a polluted tropical bay as a basis for coastal management

The aim of this study was to describe the seasonal variation in density, diversity, and richness of the mesoplanktonic community within the Guanabara Bay estuary, and to evaluate the relationship between community structure and seasonal variation in environmental and water quality variables. The samples was collected at six fixed stations at the entrance of the bay. The variation between dry and rainy periods influenced the formation of the mesoplanktonic community. The dominance of the exotic species throughout the study period shows a restructuring in the mesoplankton community due to the diverse changes that occur in this environment. The current study shows that the poor sanitary and environmental conditions in Guanabara Bay are aggravated during rainy seasons, and pollution in the area affects the biodiversity of mesoplankton organisms. A research strategy needs be formulated to provide the necessary protocols for the implementation of appropriate management strategies to improve the sanitary conditions and develop a plan of action involving the conservation and restoration of the ecosystem in order to maintain local biodiversity. We suggest continuous monitoring of physical, chemical, and microbiological variables while analyzing the density and diversity of the zooplankton community which responds to changes in water quality.

Assessment of deworming practice among mothers of under five children in Kancheepuram district

Background: Worm infestation is a major problem in children from developing countries due to poor sanitary and hygienic conditions. As the worm infestation is highly associated with the anaemia in children and generalized malnutrition as well as micronutrient malnutrition it is important to assess the deworming practice among mothers of under five children. Thus this study was aimed to assess the deworming practice to their children among mothers of under five children in Kancheepuram district and to find out the association between education level of the mothers and deworming practice, residence (rural/urban) of the mothers and deworming practice.Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted among 208 mothers of under five children in the field practice area urban and rural health centre of Sree Balaji Medical College for duration of four month using a pretested questionnaire.Results: Among 208 mothers 105 (50.5%) is from rural and 103 (49.5%) is from urban. Among them 40 (19.2%) were illiterate and 168 (80.8%) were literate. About deworming practice 40 (19.2%) mothers have never done deworming to their children, 32 (15.4%) mothers have done deworming to their children only after the worm infestation symptoms appears and 136 (65.4%) mothers have done deworming to their children regularly. Education level of the mothers (p=0.000) and the residence (rural/urban) of the mothers (p=0.000) are significantly related to the deworming practice.Conclusions: Deworming practice among rural mothers and illiterate mothers is low. Hence awareness should be created among them about the deworming practice in preventing the complication caused by the worm infestation and should promote the habit of regular deworming to their children.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites among urban and rural population in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are globally endemic and is a major public health problem of concern. The prevalence is high in developing countries like India probably due to poor sanitary conditions and improper hygiene. Among the various intestinal parasites, the prevalence of Entamoeba, Ascaris, Ancylostoma, Giardia and Trichuris have been studied in this research.Methods: This is a cross sectional study which involves 205 urban and 185 rural populations. The data was collected from the Urban and Rural health training centres in Anakaputhur and Padappai of Kancheepuram district respectively over a period of three months from August 2017 to October 2017. Data entry was done in MS Excel and analysis was carried out in SPSS software version 22. The analysis was done using descriptive and analytical statistical methods.Results: Among the rural and urban population, 185 stool samples from the rural population showed nearly 50.8% intestinal parasites (E. histolytica 40%, A. lumbricoides 2%, A. duodenalae 5%, Giardia 1%, T. trichura 3%). On the contrary 205 stool samples from urban population showed 23.4% of intestinal parasites (E. histolytica 18%, A. lumbricoides 2%, A. duodenalae 5%, Giardia 0%, T. trichura 0%). The increase in the prevalence of intestinal parasites among rural population than the urban population was statistically significant.Conclusions: The stool samples collected from rural population showed high prevalence of intestinal parasite infestation when compared to urban population, hence necessary interventions like health education, awareness creation and medical intervention should be undertaken particularly among the rural population.

Socioenvironmental factors associated with Schistosoma mansoni infection and intermediate hosts in an urban area of northeastern Brazil.

Schistosomiasis, which is caused by trematodes of the genus Schistosoma and by the species Schistosoma mansoni in Brazil, is transmitted primarily by Biomphalaria glabrata mollusks. Infections occur in humans and mollusks in freshwater environments contaminated with feces from infected humans. This study aimed to evaluate potential foci of schistosomiasis based on the identification of infection sites for the snails, factors that increased the human infection probability of S. mansoni infection, and the relationship of the disease with abiotic, biotic, and sociocultural factors. The study was conducted in an urban area on the northeast coast of Brazil; this location was chosen based on the following factors: the presence of B. glabrata, nearby freshwater, and the absence of sewer treatment. A parasitological analysis was performed to evaluate infections of the mollusks and residents inside the perimeter defined by the collection points. Questionnaires were applied to obtain demographic data and to identify behaviors that led to human infection. To verify the contamination of freshwater by human feces, a microbiological analysis of the water was performed at the mollusk collection points to determine the rate of contamination with fecal coliforms. A total of 10,270 B. glabrata mollusks were collected between August 2013 and August 2014, of which 8.8% were positive for S. mansoni; the prevalence ranged from 0 to 34.5% over the study period. A total of 232 coprological samples from the residents were analyzed. The S. mansoni infection prevalence rate was 16.4%, and the S. mansoni parasitic load in the infected residents was 54.9 eggs per gram of feces on average. Males were more affected by the parasite, especially in the 8-17-year-old age range. Thermotolerant coliforms were observed at the mollusk collection sites, which indicated that freshwater and sewage were in continuous contact. This contamination indicated poor sanitary conditions, as was previously observed, which could be combined with detrimental behavior due to the residents' habits. These conditions cause a predisposition for both intermediate and definitive infections of the hosts by creating a socioenvironmental scenario that is conducive to the formation and maintenance of potential schistosomiasis foci. This and similar areas deserve special attention from the government with an aim of improving sanitation services and local resident knowledge to prevent future contamination.