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Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
[Digestive parasitic diseases in young children in a tropical outpatient setting]
A Aplogan1, D Schneider, J L Dyck
1ORSTOM-Nutrition, LOME, Togo.
Insights
Parasitic infections are common in young children in Togo, with Giardia and Ascaris being most prevalent. Reinfection rates were high after treatment, indicating a need for ongoing prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Tropical medicine
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Public health
Context:
- A study was conducted in a village in southern Togo.
- Children aged 6 months to 3 years were enrolled in a nutritional surveillance program.
Purpose:
- To investigate the prevalence of parasitic infections in young children.
- To explore the relationship between parasitic infections, diarrhea, and nutritional status.
Summary:
- 42.5% of children had at least one parasite, with Giardia (21%), Ancylostoma (13%), and Ascaris (12.5%) being most common.
- Parasitic infections increased with age, but no direct link to diarrhea or nutritional status was found.
- High reinfection rates (Ancylostoma 65%, whipworm 50%, Giardia 34.2%) were observed post-treatment.
Impact:
- Highlights the significant burden of parasitic infections in young children in this region.
- Suggests reinfection is a major challenge, necessitating sustained control efforts.
- Informs public health strategies for parasite control and nutritional support programs.
Abstract:
Parasites were looked for in stools of infants aged 6 months to 3 years living in a village in the south of Togo. These children were enrolled in a nutritional surveillance program. 42.5% of children harboured at least one parasite and 12.1% had more than one parasite: The most common parasites found included Giardia (21%), Ancylostoma (13%), and Ascaris (12.5%). Infection with a single parasite and infection with several parasites were observed from the age of nine months and 18 months, respectively; the incidence of these infections increased with advancing age. The incidence of diarrheal stools decreased with advancing age and no particular parasite seemed to be directly and exclusively responsible for diarrhea. The distribution of parasites and diarrheal symptoms were not influenced by sex. No correlation was found between nutritional status and presence of a parasitic infection or diarrhea. After treatment, reinfection with Ancylostoma (65%), whipworm (50%), and Giardia (34.2%) were common.
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