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Ascaris lumbricoides: prevalence and associated factors among pre-school children in Rukiga district, Uganda: a
Martine Kasiita1, Stephen Businge2, Agnes Napyo3
1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kabale University School of Medicine, Kabale, Uganda. kasiitamartyne@gmail.com.
Insights
Ascaris lumbricoides infestation affects 2.7% of children in Uganda. Key risk factors include improper stool disposal and lack of deworming, highlighting the need for targeted community health education.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Ascariasis, caused by Ascaris lumbricoides, is a significant global health issue, particularly impacting children's health and development.
- Infestations can lead to severe complications such as malnutrition, growth impairment, and intestinal obstruction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides infestation in children aged 6-59 months in Uganda's Rukiga district.
- To identify sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with ascariasis in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 739 children and their caregivers was conducted.
- Data on sociodemographic characteristics were collected via semi-structured questionnaires.
- Stool samples were analyzed for Ascaris lumbricoides ova using the Kato-Katz method, with multivariable logistic regression used for analysis.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides infestation was found to be 2.7%.
- Significant risk factors included not being dewormed in the prior 6 months, child's stool disposal in the compound, and having a father as the primary caregiver.
- Protective factors included having more than two children under five in the household and identifying as Christian.
Conclusions:
- Ascariasis affects 2.7% of preschool-aged children in the Rukiga district.
- Health interventions should involve male partners and focus on hygiene, proper fecal disposal, and deworming.
- Further research is needed to explore the association between religion and ascariasis.
Background:
Ascaris lumbricoides infestation remains a public health problem worldwide. It mainly affects children resulting into undernutrition, impaired growth and physical development, intestinal obstruction and death. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with Ascaris lumbricoides infestation among children aged 6-59 months in Rukiga district, Uganda.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 739 children aged 6-59 months and their caregivers between September and October 2023. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics of the caregivers. We examined children's stool for Ascaris lumbricoides ova using the Kato-Katz method. We estimated adjusted odds ratios using multivariable logistic regression to determine the factors associated with Ascaris lumbricoides infestation.
Results:
The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides infestation was 2.7% (n = 20/739), (95% CI. 1.7-4.1). Factors associated with Ascaris lumbricoides infestation were: Child-related characteristics including: the child having not been dewormed 6 months prior to the study (AOR 2.04, 95% CI: 1.04-4). Household characteristics including: disposal of child's stool in the compound/ garden (AOR 12.53, 95% CI: 3.44-45.64), if there are more than two children under 5 years living in the household (AOR 0.24, 95% CI: 0.11-0.52). Care-giver characteristics including the primary caregiver being: the father (AOR 6.09, 95% CI: 1.21-30.61), a Christian (AOR 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01-0.17).
Conclusion And Recommendations:
Ascaris lumbricoides infestation was 2.7% among preschool children. We recommend the inclusion of male partners in health interventions targeting children under the age of five years especially the immunization programs. Community health programs should consider targeted messages in health education campaigns especially the handling and disposal of feces and the importance of deworming children. The association between religion and Ascaris lumbricoides infestation needs further studies.
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