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Parasitic infection among children living in two orphanages in Cairo
S A Makhlouf1, M A Sarwat, D M Mahmoud
1Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo.
Insights
Orphanage children in Cairo showed significantly higher rates of intestinal parasitic infections compared to controls. Enterobius vermicularis was the most common parasite found in both groups.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Children in institutional settings like orphanages face increased risks of intestinal parasitism due to factors such as overcrowding and specific behavioral patterns that facilitate infection spread.
- Intestinal parasitic infections are a significant global health concern, particularly in vulnerable populations like children residing in communal living environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among children living in orphanages versus those in a control group with appropriate health conditions.
- To identify the specific types of intestinal parasites affecting children in these settings and determine any statistically significant differences between the groups.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study was conducted involving 100 children from Ain-Shams and El-Mowassa orphanages in Cairo and 20 children from a control group.
- Participants' ages ranged from 6 to 12 years.
- Stool samples were analyzed to detect the presence of various intestinal parasites.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher prevalence of parasitic infection was observed in orphanage children (69%) compared to the control group (40%).
- Enterobius vermicularis was the most frequently detected parasite in both the orphanage and control groups.
- While Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Hymenolepis nana, and Entamoeba coli were found, their prevalence differences between groups were not statistically significant. Cryptosporidium oocysts were absent in all participants.
Conclusions:
- Children residing in orphanages exhibit a significantly higher burden of intestinal parasitic infections than those living under better health conditions.
- Public health interventions focused on hygiene and infection control are crucial for reducing parasitic infections in institutionalized children.
Abstract:
Children living in institutions as orphanages are more exposed to intestinal parasitism, since crowding and behavioral pattern contribute greatly to the spread of parasitic infection. The present study was conducted on 100 children living in Ain-Shams and El-Mowassa orphanages, Cairo. Twenty children living under appropriate health conditions were studied as controls. Ages of both groups ranged from 6-12 years. The results of this study revealed that 69/100 (69%) orphanage children were positive for parasitic infection, while 8/20 (40%) control subjects were positive for parasitic infection; the difference was statistically significant. Enterobius vermicularis was the commonest parasite among both groups. Other parasitic infections detected were; Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Hymenolepis nana and Entamoeba coli with a prevalence of 10%, 9%, 2% and 9% respectively in the study group compared to 15%, 10%, 0% and 5% in the control group; the differences were statistically not significant. Cryptosporidium oocysts were not detected in both groups.