Prevalence and Risk Factors for Intestinal Parasitic Infection in Schoolchildren in Battambang, Cambodia

Abstract

Abstract. Most intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs), commonly endemic in tropical resource-poor developing countries, are neglected tropical diseases. Parasitic infections and malnutrition are most commonly found in children. We determined the prevalence of IPIs and the risk factors in Battambang Province, northwestern Cambodia, from August to September 2015. This study collected 308 valid questionnaires and specimens from Dontri (173, 56.2%) and Kon Kaêk (135, 43.8%) primary schools. All stool samples were examined using Chang's Feces Examination Apparatus through the merthiolate-iodine-formaldehyde technique. Headache (259, 84.1%), recurrent cough (249, 80.8%), and abdominal pain (235, 76.3%) were the most common symptoms as detected from questionnaire investigation. A total of 155 students were positive for any parasite type; a single parasite type was observed in 97 students (31.5%), two types in 40 students (13.0%), three types in 14 students (4.6%), and four types in four students (1.3%). Nine gastrointestinal parasite species (three helminths and six protozoa) were identified in the stool samples. The most common parasites in schoolchildren were Giardia intestinalis (31.5%) and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (17.5%). This is the first IPIs study, and more than half of the schoolchildren were infected with parasite species in Moung Russey District of Battambang Province. We found nine parasite species, including helminths and protozoa, and pathogenic protozoa were the main source of IPIs. Improving the detection method, sanitation facilities, and personal hygiene as well as utilizing combined drugs are all important measures to greatly reduce IPIs in Cambodian schoolchildren.

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Intestinal Parasitic Infection among Primary School Children in Dera District, Northwest Ethiopia

“…The prevalence of IPIs in Korata (74.3%) was relatively similar to the studies done in Mizan-Aman town, Ethiopia (72.9%), Ediget Behibret, Ethiopia (88.9%), and Mizan Number One, Ethiopia (83.4%) [ 46 ]. The prevalence of IPIs in Mirafe Mariam (61.5%) and Wagira (58.6%) was close to the studies in Cambodia: Dontri locality (54.3%) and Kon Kaêk locality (45.5%) [ 48 ]. The result was higher than the studies done in Gurage Zone, Enemorena-Ener District, Ethiopia (40%) [ 37 ], Gurage Zone, Abeshege Districts, Ethiopia (38.7%) [ 37 ], Mizan-Aman town, Ethiopia (42.9%), Mizan Misgana Acadamy, Ethiopia (35.5%), and Aman Misgana Academy, Ethiopia (30.0%) [ 46 ].…”

“…(29.6%) in the present study was relatively similar to the studies conducted in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia (24.5%) [ 29 ], Tanzania (31%) [ 51 ], Sudan, (31.2%) [ 28 ], and Rwanda (25.95%) [ 44 ]. However, it was higher than the study done in Gobgob, Northwest Ethiopia (13%) [ 39 ], Sudan (15.50%) [ 17 ], Homesha District, Western Ethiopia (14.17%) [ 33 ], Jawi town, Ethiopia (5.9%) [ 19 ], Cambodia (17.5%) [ 48 ], Birbir town, Southern Ethiopia (2.6%) [ 39 ], Delo-Mena District, Southeastern Ethiopia (7.7%) [ 35 ], Sasiga District, Southwest Ethiopia (8.1%) [ 27 ], Adigrat town, Northern Ethiopia (4.5%) [ 36 ], Glomekeda district, Northern Ethiopia (19.43%) [ 47 ], Adele town, East Arsi, Ethiopia (10.3%) [ 40 ], and western Saudi Arabia (2%) [ 42 ]. But, it was lower than the study conducted in Nigeria (39.5%) [ 43 ].…”

Mass Treatment does not reduce the prevalency of parasites in Guarani indigenous schoolchildren in Brazil

“…In addition to drug treatment, the provision and use of basic hygiene materials and health education regarding the modes of transmission and prevention of these intestinal parasites, as well as improvements in basic sanitation conditions, would be control measures to be adopted simultaneously (Liao et al, 2017). Such measures could provide better conditions for the development and growth of indigenous children ( Diehl e Grassi, 2010;Brandelli et al, 2012;Andreson et al, 2014;Belizario et al, 2011).…”

The association between the lack of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities with intestinal Entamoeba spp infection risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Therefore, direct contact with infected animals can increase the risk of animal-to-human transmission [ 30 ]. According to Liao et al [ 91 ], based on 308 questionnaires collected from primary schools in Battambang, Cambodia, 95.1% of infected children kept animals at their homes. Also, Hemmati et al [ 83 ] stated that direct contact with animals besides the drinking water quality is among the most important factors on the intestinal infection.…”