Environmental characteristics around the household and their association with hookworm infection in rural communities from Bahir Dar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) are highly prevalent Neglected Tropical Disease in Ethiopia, an estimated 26 million are infected. Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing (RS) technologies assist data mapping and analysis, and the prediction of the spatial distribution of infection in relation to environmental variables. The influence of socioeconomic, environmental and soil characteristics on hookworm infection at the individual and household level is explored in order to identify spatial patterns of infection in rural villages from Zenzelema (Amhara region). Inhabitants greater than 5 years old were recruited in order to assess the presence of STH. Socioeconomic and hookworm infection variables at the household level and environmental variables and soil characteristics using RS were obtained. The dominant STH found was hookworm. Individuals which practiced open defecation and those without electricity had a significant higher number of hookworm eggs in their stool. Additionally, adults showed statistically higher hookworm egg counts than children. Nonetheless, the probability of hookworm infection was not determined by socioeconomic conditions but by environmental characteristics surrounding the households, including a combination of vigorous vegetation and bare soil, high temperatures, and compacted soils (high bulk density) with more acidic pH, given a pH of 6.0 is optimal for hatching of hookworm eggs. The identification of high-risk environmental areas provides a useful tool for planning, targeting and monitoring of control measures, including not only children but also adults when hookworm is concerned.

Contribution of wastewater irrigated vegetables to the prevalence of soil- transmitted helminth infection among female farmers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…The prevalence of helminths detected in the vegetable sample was 67.5% (95% CI = 0.50-0.75) which is comparable with previous ndings of Desta et al, 61% (95% CI = 0.52% − 0.64 ) [11]and a study conducted in Dessea, Ethiopia 63.4% (95% CI = 0.54% − 0.72 ) [20]. But this result is higher than studies conducted in different parties of Ethiopia; in Bardar, the prevalence of STH was 39.1% (95% CI = 0.34% − 0.44) [21], Dire Dawa, 47.3% (95% CI = 0.42% − 0.52) [22], Arba Minch 54.4% (95% CI = 0.49% − 0.59) [23].…”

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Hookworm Infection among Primary School Children in Three Selected Schools in Moriba Town, Southern Sierra Leone

“…It is still unclear why hookworm dichotomies exist between urban and rural areas. In addition to sanitation or population density, socioeconomic disparities may also have a significant impact on the prevalence of hookworm in urban and rural settings [21]. Drug use by the children in the study could have an impact on the prevalence rate.…”

Transmission of Helmithiasis in a community and treatment option

“…However, Strongyloides stercoralis showed a negative correlation with total soil organic matter. Khieu et al [18] reported that a high amount of total organic carbon, which is a major constituent of total organic matter, does not seem to favor the survival of Strongyloides larvae in the environment.…”