Parasites In Children Research Articles

Intestinal Parasites and Hematological Parameters in Children Living in Ambatoboeny District, Madagascar

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. The country’s extreme weather conditions, poor sanitation, and weak economy facilitate the spread of parasitic diseases. Infections with intestinal parasites are particularly dangerous for children because they can cause malnutrition and anemia, which, in turn, have a negative effect on children’s cognitive functions and physical development. The aim of the present study was to analyze the prevalence of intestinal parasites and to assess hematological parameters in a group of children living in northern Madagascar. The screening was conducted in May 2024 in the Clinique Medicale Beyzym in Manerinerina, the Ambatoboeny district. It involved a sample of 208 children aged 0–17 years. Single stool samples were collected from all study participants. The samples were fixed in SAF fixative and then transported from Africa to Europe for further diagnostics at the Department of Epidemiology and Tropical Medicine, the Military Institute of Medicine–the National Research Institute in Poland. First, the samples were analyzed by light microscopy methods using three different diagnostic techniques (direct smear, decantation with distilled water, and the Fülleborn method). Next, they were tested by molecular biology methods (real-time PCR). Blood samples for the assessment of hematological parameters were collected at the healthcare center in Madagascar. The prevalence of intestinal parasites in the study sample was 61.5%. Helminths were found in 15.2% of the investigated children, and Giardia intestinalis (20.5%) was found to be the most prevalent parasite in the study population. Most infections were caused by potentially pathogenic stramenopila Blastocystis spp. (32.0%). Mean Hb, HCT, MCV, MCH, and MCHC levels in the study participants were below normal values. However, no correlation was found between the presence of a parasitic infection and low hematological parameters, which are a clinical sign of anemia. High rates of infections with intestinal parasites in children living in northern Madagascar support the necessity to introduce long-term preventive measures, which would limit the spread of parasitic diseases in the Malagasy population. Low hematological parameters in non-infected children may be indicative of persistent malnutrition or infection with other parasites, e.g., malaria or schistosomiasis.

Intestinal parasites in children from native communities of Salta, Argentina.

Intestinal parasites particularly affect vulnerable populations, making their management crucial in endemic areas. To evaluate the relationship between intestinal parasites, socioeconomic characteristics, and anthropometric nutritional status. This is an observational, cross-sectional study conducted on children aged 1 to 15 years in Tartagal, Argentina, for a year. Intestinal parasitic infections were determined through fecal analysis using sedimentation techniques (Teleman), Kato-Katz, and the Baerman method. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected using a standardized survey. Height, weight, and mid-upper arm and head circumference were measured in the participants. Of the 588 participants who provided fecal samples, 55.4% had intestinal parasites, with G. lamblia and H. nana being the most prevalent species. Additionally, 31.9% of participants were found to have malnutrition due to excess weight. Risk factors for intestinal parasite presence included age, overcrowding, and walking barefoot, while owning a refrigerator, having an animal corral, adequate water storage, and belonging to the Guaraní ethnic group were protective factors. High vulnerability areas were observed regarding housing conditions and access to public services. An association between socioeconomic conditions and the risk of intestinal parasite presence was observed. However, no association was found between anthropometric nutritional status and the presence of intestinal parasites.

Investigating the Prevalence of the Giardia lamblia Parasite in Children in Salah Al-Din Governorate

The research was conducted from June 2023 until December 2024 to detect the prevalence of infection with the Giardia lamblia parasite among children with diarrhea attending Tikrit Teaching Hospital in Salah al-Din Governorate. The study included collecting 400 stool samples for children whose ages ranged between (1-12) years. Direct wet swab to detect the presence of the parasite. The level of infection with the parasite reached 14.75%. The highest rate of infection was in males at 67.7% and lower in females at a rate of 32.2%. The highest rate of infection was at the age of (1-3) years at a rate of 38.9% and the lowest rate was 11.8% at the age of (9-12) years. The infection rate was 69.4%, high in families with 10 or more members, while in small families (4-5) individuals, the infection rate was 30.5%. The infection rate was highest in children who drank unfiltered river water, at 50.8%, and lowest in children who drank pure water, at 3.3%. The prevalence of this parasite in rural areas was higher than in urban areas, at a rate of 55.9% in all areas of the governorate. It was found that there were varying rates of infection in the different months of the year, reaching 28.8% in the summer, and the lowest infection rate in the winter.

Intestinal Parasitic Infection in Children and Adolescents With Ocular Diseases: The Prevalence, Spectrum, and Effect of Lockdown During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

People with visual impairments and blindness face challenges in performing regular tasks such as maintaining proper sanitation, which makes them vulnerable to intestinal parasitic infections. This study aims to examine the prevalence and distribution of intestinal parasitic infections in children and adolescents with ocular diseases and to assess if the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic affected these rates. This retrospective, hospital record-based study was conducted among children and adolescents attending the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology in Kolkata, India. It involved routine stool examinations as part of their treatment during 2019-2020. Early morning stool specimens were collected and brought to the institute laboratory in containers. Stools were examined under a microscope for cysts, ova, parasites, and adult worms. Findings were recorded in the laboratory record book. These data were then extracted into a spreadsheet and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York). The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was 8.59% (59 out of 687 patients). Among those 59 positive cases, Ascaris lumbricoides, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Trichuris trichiura, Taenia spp., Enterobius vermicularis, and Isospora belli were detected in 27 (45.8%), 15 (25.4%), 8 (13.6%), 6 (10.2%), 3 (5.1%), 2 (3.4%), and 1 (1.7%) patients, respectively. The positivity rate of stool samples was higher from September and thereafter from January to March. The sample positivity rate was higher post-pandemic and lockdown, but not statistically significant (11.5% vs. 5.3%; χ²=4.044, df=1, p=0.44). Ascaris lumbricoides was the most commonly observed intestinal parasite in children and adolescents with ocular disease in our setting. Seasonal variation was noted with higher case positivity at the end of the rainy season and thereafter in winter. Therefore, we propose to strengthen the routine deworming program during this period in Eastern India. Higher sample positivity after the pandemic may be attributed to school closures during the lockdown period, which might have caused some children to miss their routine deworming medication.

Co-infection of Helicobacter pylori and intestinal parasites in children of selected low-income communities in Lagos State, Nigeria

Helicobacter pylori and intestinal parasites cause gastrointestinal diseases with a high prevalence in children in resource limited developing countries. There is paucity of information in Nigeria on co-infection of H. pylori and intestinal parasites. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of H. pylori and parasite co-infection in children from selected low-income communities in Lagos, Nigeria. Fecal samples were collected from 151 healthy children aged ≤11 years across six low-income communities in Lagos. H. pylori was detected using stool antigen test and conventional PCR assay, intestinal parasites were detected using formol-ether concentration and nested PCR assay. Structured questionnaires were administered to parents and legal guardians of the children by an interviewer to collect relevant data on demographic and lifestyle factors. The prevalence of H. pylori was 31.79% (48), with a higher prevalence in children aged 2–3 years. The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 21.19% (32) with the lowest frequency found in children aged 8–9 years. The parasites detected include: A. lumbricoides (10.6%), G. intestinalis (7.3%), hookworm (1.99%), E. histolytica (0.66%), S. mansoni (0.66%). There was co-infection prevalence of 10.6% (16) which was associated with the parasites: G. intestinalis (7.3%) and A. lumbricoides (3.97%). Polyparasitism with G. intestinalis and A. lumbricoides was reported in 2 children infected with H. pylori. This study which is the first reported in Lagos established a low prevalence of H. pylori and intestinal parasite co-infection in children and provides better understanding of the epidemiology of H. pylori infection associated with intestinal parasites in Nigeria.

Detecting Intestinal Parasites in Diarrheal Cases among Children in Dir Lower District

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a critical health concern globally, causing significant morbidity, especially in low-resource settings. Factors such as poor sanitation, limited access to clean water, and suboptimal hygiene practices contribute to their spread. These infections are known to disproportionately affect children in underdeveloped regions, leading to chronic health issues and impeding socio-economic development. Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in children presenting with diarrhea in the Dir Lower district of Pakistan and to analyze the distribution of these infections across different age groups and genders. The study also sought to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes towards diarrhea management among mothers of affected children. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in THQ hospitals in Samarbagh, Dir Lower. Stool samples were collected from 350 children under surveillance, with 150 positive cases identified for further analysis between October and December 2023. Stool Routine Examination (RE) and microscopy were the primary diagnostic techniques used. Ethical considerations adhered to the Helsinki Declaration. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Results: Out of 350 children surveyed, 38% (n=112) tested positive for at least one intestinal parasite. Giardia lamblia (47.32%) and Entamoeba histolytica (23.21%) were the most prevalent protozoa. The helminths Ascaris lumbricoides (4.46%) and Hymenolepis nana (9.82%) were also detected. The highest incidence of IPIs was among females (78 cases) and children under four years (61 cases). Conclusion: The study confirmed a high prevalence of IPIs among children with diarrhea in Dir Lower, with Giardia lamblia being the most common parasite. The findings underscore the need for improved public health strategies focusing on sanitation and hygiene education, especially in young children and females.

Prevalence, socio-economic, and associated risk factors of oral cavity parasites in children with intellectual disability from Lorestan province, Iran.

Children with intellectual disability (ID) often face challenges in maintaining proper oral hygiene due to their motor, sensory, and intellectual impairments, which can lead to compromised oral health; therefore, there is a need to enhance the oral health status of these populations and establish an effective system for administering preventive interventions. Here, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax among children with ID in Lorestan province, in Western Iran through parasitological and molecular methods. The current descriptive investigation involved 215 in children with ID and 215 healthy children (non-ID) who were referred to health facilities in Lorestan province, Iran between October 2022 and March 2024. The prevalence of protozoa in the oral cavity was found through the utilization of both microscopic analysis and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. The total prevalence of the E. gingivalis and T. tenax in children with ID was found to be 87 (40.5%) and 92 (42.8%) through microscopic and PCR methods, respectively. Among the positive samples, 57 (61.9%) and 35 (38.1%) children tested positive for E. gingivalis and T. tenax, respectively. In contrast, among the 215 non-ID children in the control group, 39 (18.1%) and 42 (19.5%) tested positive by microscopic and PCR methods, respectively. Among positive samples in non-ID children, 23 (54.7%) and 19 (45.3%) children were positive for E. gingivalis and T. tenax, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that residing in urban areas, parental education, monthly family income, and tooth brushing p<0.001) were identified as independent risk factors for oral cavity parasites. This study identified a notable prevalence of oral cavity parasites in children with ID in Lorestan province, Western Iran. It is imperative to recognize the primary risk factors associated with these parasites, particularly inadequate teeth brushing, in order to enhance public and oral health strategies for children with ID. Therefore, pediatric dental professionals should remain vigilant regarding these risk factors to effectively recognize and address oral health issues in this population, thereby mitigating the occurrence of oral diseases and infections.

Epidemiological profile of intestinal parasites in children under five years of age in Maputo, Mozambique

Intestinal parasites are one of the most sought-after causes in pediatrics. Its occurrence is one of the indicators of socioeconomic status that may be associated with several sociodemographic factors. It is estimated that approximately 50% of the vulnerable population is parasitized with one or more types of parasites, such as children. Considering that this population is essential for human development, the goal of this work was to evaluate the epidemiological profile of intestinal parasites in children up to five years of age in Maputo, Mozambique. To this end, a cross-sectional descriptive study was done with 70 children, through the application of a questionnaire with content related to sociodemographic conditions, clinical profile and identification of the patient’s parasitosis. A stool sample was also requested for parasitological analysis by Ritchie concentration, Ziehl-Neelsen and rapid test techniques. From the 70 children, 36 (51.4%) were infected with at least one intestinal parasite, with Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura being the most prevalent. Furthermore, it was possible to observe a direct correlation between basic sanitation and intestinal parasites. Fever symptoms were also correlated with the presence of intestinal parasitism. Although the government of Mozambique has adopted since 2009 a policy of massive drug administration to deworm children, the high rate of intestinal parasites remains present in the population. Therefore, preventive measures must be taken to contribute to the reduction of this rate of intestinal parasites in this population. KEY WORDS: Public health; Mozambique; kids; intestinal parasites.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in children and domestic animals from two peri-urban neighborhoods in northeastern Argentina.

Motivation for the study. There are few reports on intestinal parasites in children and domestic animals in urban areas in Argentina who live in homes with characteristics that favor the maintenance and transmission of parasites of zoonotic importance. Main findings. More than 50% of children and pets were parasitized, most of them with zoonotic pathogens. Implications. Our results showed the urgent need to improve sanitary control of children and animals, and to implement activities for the prevention of intestinal parasitosis in the homes analyzed.

INCIDENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC SPONTANEOUS URTICARIA

This study aimed to investigate the incidence of intestinal parasites in children who have been diagnosed with chronic spontaneous urticaria. A prospective control study was conducted at the Pathology Department of MMDC, Multan. The study included a total of 150 children, both from government and private schools. The children were divided into two groups: group A comprised 80 children diagnosed with chronic spontaneous urticaria, and group B included 70 healthy children. Group A was assessed for intestinal infections, and those with parasites were given anti-parasitic therapy. The outcomes were then evaluated. Out of the participants in group A, 18 (22.5%) had intestinal parasitic infections (IPI), compared to 10 (14.2%) in group B. Although the incidence of IPI was higher in group A, the difference was not statistically significant (P=.181). Blastocystis sp. was found in 14 (17.5%) patients in group A and 10 (14.2%) in group B. The eosinophil percentage in group A was 2% (.6% - 3.7%), and in group B was 1.5% (.6% - 2.2%) (P= .045). The total IgE value in group A was 97.6 IU/mL (ranging from 29-246 IU/mL), and in group B was 31.6 IU/mL (ranging from 14.2-65.8 IU/mL) (P &lt;.001). Patients diagnosed with IPI were treated with metronidazole; out of the 18 patients, 10 (55.5%) saw an end to their urticaria symptoms. The results of this study suggest that Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis were the most common parasites found in children with urticaria, which can disrupt their lifestyle.

Molecular Epidemiology and Associated Risk Factors of Parasites in Oral Cavity of Children with Malignancies in Western Iran.

This survey was designed to study the molecular epidemiology and risk factors of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in children with underlying malignancies and those on chemotherapy in Lorestan province, West of Iran. The present cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on children who suffering from different types of malignancies or receiving treatment by chemotherapy referring to oncology section of hospitals of Lorestan Province, Iran during May 2021 to April 2022. The frequency of oral cavity protozoa was investigated using microscopic and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). E. gingivalis and T. tenax parasites were found in 23 (25.5%) by microscopic method and 28 (31.1%) using PCR in children with malignancy. Among positive samples, 20 (71.4%) were infected with E. gingivalis; whereas 8 (28.6%) of the participants were positive for T. tenax. In the multivariate model, living in rural regions (OR= 3.437; 95% CI= 1.22-9.63; p=0.019) and using mouthwash (OR= 0.082; 95% CI= 0.018-0.37; p<0.001) were significantly related with the frequency of oral cavity parasites. Our results showed the high frequency of oral cavity parasites in children who suffering malignancies or receiving treatment by chemotherapy in Lorestan province, Iran. The awareness of the main risk factors for oral cavity parasites particularly using mouthwash is necessary in improving public and oral health strategies in children with cancer. Consequently, oncologist and dental practitioners must be aware to identify and manage oral health concerns in in children who suffering from different types of malignancies to prevent the oral diseases and infections.

Epidemiology of intestinal parasitosis in the population of Agadir City, Morocco

Intestinal parasitosis in Morocco represents a real public health problem given the promiscuity and sanitary facilities that prevail in some regions, Agadir city is not spared. To determine the epidemiological profile of intestinal parasitosis in this population, a retrospective study was conducted over a period of five years in the medical biology laboratories. 6201subjects have benefited from at least one parasitological stool examination (PSE) including an analysis in the fresh state, after staining with Lugol and finally after concentration by the technique of Willis and Ritchie; 933 examinations were positive with a simple parasitic index (SPI) at 15.04%. Our study also included 1105 children of whom 238 were positive with a higher SPI at 21.53%. The average age of our patients was 28 years old. Among the parasites encountered, protozoa were present in 92.53% of cases. Blastocystis hominis were the most common with 43.2%, followed by amoebae (40.7%), flagellates (8%), helminths (7.46%) and lastly coccidia (0.62%). Giardia intestinalis appeared to be the most dominant pathogenic parasite in children and was responsible in 20% of stature–weight growth delay cases. The different results recorded are roughly comparable to the data reported by similar studies. Despite the urban origin of our population, the prevalence of intestinal parasitism is not negligible. It is still necessary to insist on the rigorous respect of hygiene rules against orofaecal contamination, as well as the realization of similar studies in the rural environment to establish more precise epidemiological profile of intestinal parasitosis in this region.

Food Allergies and Parasites in Children.

The dynamically growing incidence of food allergies forces the scientific community to develop new methods for their diagnosis, differentiation, and effective treatment. Parasitoses appear much less frequently in the scientific literature, as well as among the presumed causes of numerous conditions. The similarity of inflammatory mechanisms in allergies and parasitosis necessitates a revision of current diagnostic standards. A lack of specificity and the coincidence of symptoms at an early stage of disease can lead to misdiagnosis. In this paper, we attempted to perform a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences in symptoms for these two types of diseases. We described the molecular mechanisms and metabolic pathways of food allergy and parasitosis. We presented the available research methods and directions of ongoing studies aimed at implementing precise medical techniques for differential diagnosis. We discussed the allergenic properties of certain parasite proteins, using the example of myofibrillar tropomyosins from the nematode Anisakis simplex. The literature in the fields of allergology and parasitology leads to the conclusion that it is reasonable to run parallel allergological and parasitological diagnostics in patients with non-specific symptoms. This approach will facilitate accurate and early diagnosis and implementation of effective therapy.

Epidemiological disease spores cache Cryptosporidiosis to the reviewers and fallen asleep in Samarra General Hospital

This study has recently applied in Samarra Hospital from November 2012 to November 2013 to specify the rate of septic of cryptosporidiosis parasite in children and adults who had diarrhea, their ages are from 12 days to elders at 70ʼs and it had used Modified Zeihl Neelsen to investingate abot 400 samples of feces and it had been checked. &#x0D; The rate of the rot in Cryptosporidium parasite was (8.2%) . The rate of the infection of the female was (8.6%) and the male was (7.8%) successively and there was a difference (P&lt;0.05) and it was at the highest rate of sapreading in the age group (&lt;1) in the rate (12%) then (1-10) years in a rate (8.6%). The rate of spreading was the highest point in autumn (14.2%) and then in winter (6%) and the lowest in spring (3.8%) in a difference (P&lt;0,01**).

Is there added value from using three serial samples when surveying the occurrence of intestinal parasites in children?

Surveys for intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) often involve samples from three sampling dates analysed by various microscopy techniques. However, analysis of three samples per individual is a huge burden on time and resources. We compared the value from analysing three or fewer samples. In this cross-sectional study, three faecal samples were collected every other day from 332 children from two locations in Guantanamo province, Cuba. Samples were analysed by wet mount with Lugol stain, Willis flotation method and Kato-Katz thick smear. Most parasites were detected by wet mount, although helminth eggs not found by wet smear were detected by the Willis flotation method (in particular) and Kato-Katz smear. Blastocystis spp. was the most commonly detected parasite (about 65%), then Giardia duodenalis and then Entamoeba spp. Although analysis of two stool samples significantly increased occurrence data for Blastocystis, this was not so for the other parasites. For none of the protozoan parasites were results from analysing three samples significantly higher than results from analysing just two samples. Analysing two faecal samples by wet mount and the Willis flotation method provides useful data for estimating the prevalence of IPIs in relatively high prevalence settings. Analysing further samples provides limited additional information and adds an extra burden in terms of time and resources.

An Epidemiological Study of Intestinal Parasites in Children Attending the Pediatric Teaching Hospital in the Holy City Of Karbala, Iraq

Background: Intestinal parasitosis remains an important public health concern worldwide because of its high incidence reached in several countries as well as its nutritional consequences. The role of intestinal parasites in causing morbidity and mortality, as well as the pathogenesis of other infectious diseases, is determined. Intestinal parasitic infection is most common among school-age children and tends to cause high-intensity infection in this age group. Intestinal parasites are divided into two major types: helminths and protozoa. Protozoa are unicellular organisms and belong to the Protista kingdom and can reproduce in the human body which can allow the formation of serious infections. Objectives: The objective of this study was to detect the incidence of intestinal parasites in children attending and hospitalized at Karbala Teaching Hospital in the holy city of Karbala, Iraq. Materials and Methods: Between February 2021 and January 2022, 3748 feces samples from children between the age of 1 and 15 years were tested using both direct smear and acid fast stain test in addition to rapid test techniques. Results: The result showed that the total percentage of infection with intestinal parasites was 13% and recorded five types of intestinal parasites: Entamoeba histolytica (10.54%), Giardia lamblia (2.46%), Cryptosporidium parvum 0.4%, Hymenolepis nana (0.24%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.13%), and Trichomonas hominis (0.03%). Males were more likely to get infected than females, and the incidence of intestinal parasite infection (IPI) changed over the month of the study. Also, the infection with one species has more incidence than two and three species. The age groups of the infected children were likewise impacted by the infection rate. The statistical analysis revealed differences in the percentage of IPI by age and gender of children (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: We conclude from the result of the present study that the incidence of infection with E. histolytica is more than that of other intestinal parasites, and intestinal parasites were affected by most epidemiological criteria such as gender, the duration of the study, and age of infected patients.

Expression of Concern: Mansonella, including a Potential New Species, as Common Parasites in Children in Gabon.

Expression of Concern: Mansonella, including a Potential New Species, as Common Parasites in Children in Gabon.

A simple parasitological technique to increase detection of Strongyloides stercoralis in Bolivian primary health care system

BackgroundStrongyloides stercoralis is widespread; however, there is limited information on its prevalence owing to laboratory underestimation and low clinical manifestations. The Baermann method and agar culture stand out among the parasitological techniques. Strongyloides stercoralis is present in Bolivia, but its prevalence in children remains unknown. The objective of this study was to estimate the applicability of simple parasitological techniques to increase the detection of this parasite in children living in the tropics.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in a tropical village in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Participants were 304 children aged 5 – 12 years who provided stool samples for different parasitological analyses (direct examination, Ritchie, Baermann, and Dancescu techniques), and their parents provided informed consent.ResultsUp to 64.8% of pathogenic parasites were detected using the modified Ritchie method. The Baermann technique identified 17.8% of Strongyloides stercoralis cases, and a high sensitivity with respect to the Baermann technique was only for the Dancescu technique (75.9%) that is also specific for Strongyloides stercoralis, followed by 66.7% for the modified Ritchie technique, which is used in second-line care.DiscussionThe Baermann technique is the best parasitological option for improving Strongyloides stercoralis diagnosis in the first-line care of the Primary Health Care System. A particular cycle of reinfection, combined with the environment and some other risk factors are related with persistence. Control is difficult without a proper diagnosis, and the Baermann technique is an approach to the solution. We conclude that with a high suspicion of the presence of Strongyloides stercoralis, the use of the Baermann technique is strongly recommended as support for direct examination in primary health care systems especially in tropical areas.

Stunting among children aged 24–59 months and associations with sanitation, enteric infections, and environmental enteric dysfunction in rural northwest Ethiopia

Stunting is a public health issue of global concern. Despite, poor sanitation, diarrhea, parasitic infections, and environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) are associated with stunting, their link is poorly understood and has not been investigated in Ethiopia. This study was conducted to assess the associations of stunting with sanitation, enteric infections, and EED among children aged 24–59 months in rural northwest Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 224 randomly selected children aged 24–59 months in rural areas of the east Dembiya district. We collected information on household food insecurity and dietary diversity using pre-tested questionnaires adopted from the food and nutrition technical assistance (FANTA) project. We used height-for-age-z score (HAZ) to define stunting. We also used the data collected to measure the environmental exposures of children to intestinal parasitic infections and fecal biomarkers of EED. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was used to assess the association of stunting with sanitation, enteric infections, and EED. Of the 224 children, 33% (95% CI 27, 39%) were stunted. Stunting in children was significantly associated with poor dietary intake (AOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.2, 7.3), open defecation practice (AOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.2, 7.9), presence of animal excreta in the living environment (AOR 3.4, 95% CI 1.2, 9.9), E. coli contamination of drinking water (AOR 4.2, 95% CI 1.1, 15.3), diarrheal disease incidence (AOR 3.4, 95% CI 1.5, 7.7), intestinal parasites in children (AOR 3.3, 95% CI 1.3, 8.8), and higher EED disease activity scores (AOR 2.9, 95% CI 1.2, 6.7). One-third of the children in the study area were stunted and this high prevalence of stunting was associated with poor dietary intake, poor hygiene and sanitation conditions, enteric infections, and EED. Thus, stunting can be prevented by improving sanitation and hygienic conditions to prevent repeated enteric infections in children and by promoting dietary diversity of children.

Epidemiological investigation of intestinal parasites in children of Sale city (Morocco)

Epidemiological investigation of intestinal parasites in children of Sale city (Morocco)