<p>Predictors of hookworm and <em>Opisthorchis viverrini</em> infection among adolescents in urban Laos: a cross-sectional study</p>

Abstract

Purpose: Infection with hookworm and Opisthorchis viverrini are serious health problems among children and adolescents in Laos. In this study, we demonstrated the factors related to hookworm and O. viverrini infection, including primary school health programs, among secondary school students in Vientiane city of Laos. Material and methods: A cross-sectional survey and stool examination were conducted among secondary school students in Vientiane. One stool sample from each participant was examined using two Kato-Katz smears. Data of 164 participants were analyzed and the associations among parasitic infections, sociodemographic characteristics, and the school health program in primary school were assessed in a univariate logistic regression analysis. Predictors with p <0.25 were retained in a multivariate logistic regression model. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. The significance level was set at p <0.05. Results: The infection rates of O. viverrini and hookworm were 39.0% and 36.0%, respectively. Older students (OR=1.55, 95% CI: 1.01–2.37, p =0.046) and those whose father had irregular income (OR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.13–0.93, p =0.036) had a higher risk for hookworm infection. Students whose mother had irregular income (OR=0.30, 95% CI: 0.13–0.69, p =0.005) had a higher risk for O. viverrini infection. Higher primary school health program scores were associated with a lower risk for hookworm infection in the univariate model but not in the multivariate model. Conclusion: Sociodemographic factors have a strong influence on infections with both hookworm and O. viverrini . Current school health programs in Laos may be insufficient to reduce O. viverrini infections. Other approaches, such as supporting parents in finding employment with regular income, may be needed.

Factors Affecting the Prevalence of Fecal Pathogen Infections: Approaches for Health Risk Protection

“…Previous studies by Aggarwal et al (2017) and Chudthaisong et al (2015) reported that food-borne parasitic infections were correlated with a lack of FSM facilities and personal hygiene factors. Similar studies were documented by Lindahl et al (2015), Grundy-Warr et al (2012), and Yoshida et al (2019) showing that the significance of direct contact with FS was found to be an influential factor on the prevalence of liver fluke infections. The effects of unsafely-managed FS on the prevalence of diarrhea infections are presented in Figure 3.…”

“…Most cities in low and middle income countries face adverse public health effects due to inadequate fecal sludge management (FSM) practices. Despite the target of the Millennium Development Goals 7c (MDG 7c), which aims to improve access to water and sanitation by 2015, 85% of the world's total FS is directly discharged onto public areas without any treatment, causing environmental pollution and public health problems (Al-Mohammed et al, 2010;Yoshida et al, 2019). Unsafely-managed FS contains pathogens leading to significant fecal pathogen infections worldwide, especially among Southeast Asian nations such as Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia.…”

One Health Intervention Strategies to Address Zoonotic Neglected Tropical Diseases in Southeast Asia: A Scoping Review

“…Hygiene programs in the included studies were undertaken in Thailand (46), Lao PDR (33,34,47), and Vietnam (41)(42)(43), and aimed to educate individuals on handwashing, toilet use, and food preparation. While sanitation programs focused on conducting latrine surveys (47), installing latrines, and managing human and animal waste (41)(42)(43)46). In Lao PDR (34), the study highlighted that taeniasis/cysticercosis posters related to WASH were effective in increasing women's knowledge about the disease, but were not successful for children and men.…”

Hookworm infection still prevalent in the less developed urban area in jakarta, Indonesia

“…6 A recent study in one secondary school in capital city of Laos, Vientiene, showed that the hookworm infection rate was 36% in students aged 10-18 years old. 7 The prevalence of STH infection cases is still believed to be high in several areas in Indonesia. STH infection were around 17% in school-age children in Central Sulawesi.…”