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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Intestinal Parasite Prevalence in an Area of Ethiopia after Implementing the SAFE Strategy, Enhanced Outreach Services, and Health Extension Program
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Volume 7, No. 6, Article e2223, Year 2013
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Description
Background:The SAFE strategy aims to reduce transmission of Chlamydia trachomatis through antibiotics, improved hygiene, and sanitation. We integrated assessment of intestinal parasites into large-scale trachoma impact surveys to determine whether documented environmental improvements promoted by a trachoma program had collateral impact on intestinal parasites.Methodology:We surveyed 99 communities for both trachoma and intestinal parasites (soil-transmitted helminths, Schistosoma mansoni, and intestinal protozoa) in South Gondar, Ethiopia. One child aged 2-15 years per household was randomly selected to provide a stool sample of which about 1 g was fixed in sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin, concentrated with ether, and examined under a microscope by experienced laboratory technicians.Principal Findings:A total of 2,338 stool specimens were provided, processed, and linked to survey data from 2,657 randomly selected children (88% response). The zonal-level prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, and Trichuris trichiura was 9.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.2-12.7%), 9.7% (5.9-13.4%), and 2.6% (1.6-3.7%), respectively. The prevalence of S. mansoni was 2.9% (95% CI 0.2-5.5%) but infection was highly focal (range by community from 0-52.4%). The prevalence of any of these helminth infections was 24.2% (95% CI 17.6-30.9%) compared to 48.5% as found in a previous study in 1995 using the Kato-Katz technique. The pathogenic intestinal protozoa Giardia intestinalis and Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar were found in 23.0% (95% CI 20.3-25.6%) and 11.1% (95% CI 8.9-13.2%) of the surveyed children, respectively. We found statistically significant increases in household latrine ownership, use of an improved water source, access to water, and face washing behavior over the past 7 years.Conclusions:Improvements in hygiene and sanitation promoted both by the SAFE strategy for trachoma and health extension program combined with preventive chemotherapy during enhanced outreach services are plausible explanations for the changing patterns of intestinal parasite prevalence. The extent of intestinal protozoa infections suggests poor water quality or unsanitary water collection and storage practices and warrants targeted intervention. © 2013 King et al.
Available Materials
https://efashare.b-cdn.net/share/pmc/articles/PMC3675016/bin/pntd.0002223.s001.doc
Authors & Co-Authors
King, Jonathan D.
United States, Atlanta
The Carter Center
Switzerland, Allschwil
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Swiss Tph
Switzerland, Basel
Universitat Basel
Endeshaw, Tekola
United States, Atlanta
The Carter Center
Escher, Elisabeth
Switzerland, Basel
Universitat Basel
Switzerland, Allschwil
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Swiss Tph
Alemtaye, Genetu
Ethiopia
Amhara National Regional State Health Bureau
Melaku, Sileabatt
Ethiopia
Amhara National Regional State Health Bureau
Gelaye, Woyneshet
Ethiopia
Amhara National Regional State Health Bureau
Worku, Abebe
Ethiopia
Amhara National Regional State Health Bureau
Adugna, Mitku
United States, Atlanta
The Carter Center
Melak, Berhanu
United States, Atlanta
The Carter Center
Teferi, Tesfaye
United States, Atlanta
The Carter Center
Zerihun, Mulat
United States, Atlanta
The Carter Center
Gesese, Demelash
United States, Atlanta
The Carter Center
Tadesse, Zerihun Ketema
United States, Atlanta
The Carter Center
Mosher, Aryc W.
United States, Atlanta
The Carter Center
Odermatt, Peter
Switzerland, Allschwil
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Swiss Tph
Switzerland, Basel
Universitat Basel
Utzinger, Jürg
Switzerland, Allschwil
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Swiss Tph
Switzerland, Basel
Universitat Basel
Marti, Hanspeter
Switzerland, Basel
Universitat Basel
Switzerland, Allschwil
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Swiss Tph
Ngondi, Jeremiah M.
United States, Atlanta
The Carter Center
United Kingdom, Cambridge
Cambridge Institute of Public Health
Hopkins, Donald R.
United States, Atlanta
The Carter Center
Emerson, Paul
United States, Atlanta
The Carter Center
Statistics
Citations: 66
Authors: 20
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0002223
ISSN:
19352727
e-ISSN:
19352735
Research Areas
Cancer
Environmental
Health System And Policy
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Randomised Control Trial
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Ethiopia