Soil transmitted helminthiasis in indigenous groups. A community cross sectional study in the Amazonian southern border region of Ecuador

Abstract

BackgroundRural communities in the Amazonian southern border of Ecuador have benefited from governmental social programmes over the past 9 years, which have addressed, among other things, diseases associated with poverty, such as soil transmitted helminth infections. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of geohelminth infection and several factors associated with it in these communities.MethodsThis was a cross sectional study in two indigenous communities of the Amazonian southern border of Ecuador. The data were analysed at both the household and individual levels.ResultsAt the individual level, the prevalence of geohelminth infection reached 46.9% (95% CI 39.5% to 54.2%), with no differences in terms of gender, age, temporary migration movements or previous chemoprophylaxis. In 72.9% of households, one or more members were infected. Receiving subsidies and overcrowding were associated with the presence of helminths.ConclusionsThe prevalence of geohelminth infection was high. Our study suggests that it is necessary to conduct studies focusing on communities, and not simply on captive groups, such as schoolchildren, with the object of proposing more suitable and effective strategies to control this problem.

Prevalence, Intensity, and Factors Associated with Soil-Transmitted Helminths Infection among Children in Zambia: A Cross-sectional Study

“…We found no significant association between behavioural, service-related, and environmental factors in this study area. This is contrary to other studies [15,21,30,31]. In the current study, the socioeconomic characteristics of an individual were the main drivers of worm infestation.…”

“…Children who lived in urban areas were more prone to infection than children who lived in rural areas. Another study found urban areas to be more prone to infection than rural area [21,25]. This could be explained by the fact that Chililambobwe district is mostly peri-urban with poor sanitation.…”

“…The more people shared a room, the greater the risk of developing soil-transmitted helminths. A study in Latin America found that household overcrowding was 1.81 times greater risk of soil-transmitted helminth infection compared to those with less than three occupants per room in the first three years of the life of a child [21]. Another study in Chencha, Southern Ethiopia also found that overcrowding to be a contributor to helminth infection in school-aged children [22].…”

Soil‐transmitted helminth parasites and allergy: Observations from Ecuador

“…A recent national survey of STH prevalence in Ecuador that studied a representative sample of schoolchildren estimated a national prevalence of 28%, considerably lower than previous estimates, reflecting substantial progress over the previous 10 years in achieving the millennium development goals. However, the Amazon region of Ecuador continued to have high prevalence rates (59%) reflecting the relative isolation of this population that continues to suffer high levels of poverty…”

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

“…Maps specific for STH have been developed in different countries in order to determine areas at risk for the presence of these parasites, most of them using historical prevalence data from either point studies [14][15][16][17] or national STH data [18], but none of these were conducted at the household level. Most studies conducted at the household level have determined certain risk factors for infection with STH, but environmental parameters were not included [19][20][21][22].…”