Ascaris and hookworm transmission in preschool children in rural Panama: role of subsistence agricultural activities

Abstract

This longitudinal study explored whether aspects of subsistence agriculture were associated with presence and intensity of Ascaris and hookworm in preschool children in rural Panama. Questionnaires were used to collect data on household socio-demographics, child exposure to agriculture and household agricultural practices. Stool samples were collected from children (6 months-5 years) at 3 time points, with albendazole administered after each to clear infections, resulting in 1 baseline and 2 reinfection measures. A novel Agricultural Activity Index (AAI) was developed using principal components analysis to measure the intensity of household agricultural practices. Zero-inflated negative binomial regression models revealed baseline hookworm egg counts were higher if children went to the agricultural plot and if the plot was smaller. Baseline and reinfection Ascaris egg counts were higher if children went to the plot and households had higher AAI, and higher at baseline if the plot was smaller. Caregiver time in the plot was negatively associated with baseline Ascaris egg counts, but positively associated with baseline hookworm and Ascaris reinfection egg counts. Children who spent more time playing around the home were less likely to be infected with Ascaris at baseline. We conclude that preschool child exposure to subsistence agriculture increased Ascaris and hookworm intensity.

Preschool child growth attainment and velocity during an agriculture intervention in rural Panama may be diminished by soil-transmitted helminths

“…The AAI was developed using principal components analysis and included 17 agricultural methods including use of purchased fertilizers and pesticides, methods for improving and conserving soil, and methods for seed saving, planting, and growing. AAI averaged 1.47 ± 0.08 and ranged from 0 to 4.07 ( 33 ).…”

“…Five years after the program had begun, our team was invited by the MoH to conduct an interim evaluation of VERASAN outcomes. All households practiced subsistence agriculture on plots approximately 0.9 ha in size and located up to 2 h by foot from the home ( 33 ). Households grew rice, maize, beans, pigeon peas, cassava, plantains, cucumbers, squash, sweet peppers, and tomatoes, almost exclusively for their own consumption.…”

“…Each community had a primary school, and a few communities had a secondary school and/or a health post which was visited by medical staff on a regular but not daily basis ( 35 ). We have previously shown that the VERASAN program was positively associated with improved agricultural practices, increased household food production, and improved household food security and aspects of preschool child diets such as greater animal-source foods and vitamin A-rich foods ( 32 ), but that intensification of agricultural practices and the associated increased presence of children on the agricultural plots increased STH transmission and infection in preschool children ( 33 ).…”

Rapid Genotyping of β-tubulin Polymorphisms in Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides

“…Ethical approval for samples from Panama was obtained from the McGill University Institutional Review Board approval number A09-M87-11A [34, 35]. A parent or legal guardian gave informed consent for every child providing a stool sample.…”

Isothermal diagnostic assays for the detection of soil-transmitted helminths based on the SmartAmp2 method

“…Ethical approval for Panama samples [ 50 , 51 ] was obtained from the McGill University Institutional Review Board approval number A09-M87-11A. Ethical approval for Haiti samples [ 36 , 37 ] was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, US (#2535; Dr Patrick Lammie), and included the collection of faecal samples, examination of the samples for helminth eggs and DNA analysis.…”