Prevalence of intestinal parasites in rural Southern Indians

objective   To determine the prevalence of intestinal protozoal and helminthic infection in a rural population. method   Seventy-eight members of 15 families from a village were studied. Stool samples from all subjects were examined on alternate days for one month. results   The overall prevalence rate of various parasitic infections was 97.4%, with only 2 of 78 subjects not excreting parasites in any of their 15 samples. Eighteen (23.1%) persons had only one type of parasite, while 58 (74.3%) excreted multiple parasites. Giardia and Cryptosporidium were the commonest protozoan infections, affecting 42/78 (53.8%) and 31/78 (39.7%), respectively. Hookworm infestations were the commonest helminthic infections, seen in 48/78 (61.5%). Based on excretion patterns, the asymptomatic individuals could be divided into 2 groups of infrequent and frequent excretors, indicating that the host response may determine the level of parasite replication in the gut.     

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in a population in south of Tehran, Iran

The aim of this study was to describe epidemiologic characteristics of intestinal parasites in a population in south of Tehran, Iran. A retrospective cross-sectional study of patients with suspicious intestinal parasitic infections referred to the Zakaria Razi Laboratory in Shahre-Ray, southern Tehran, Iran, was conducted from April 21, 2004 to October 20, 2005. All stool samples were examined and socio-demographic informations were retrieved. Of 4,371 referred patients, 466 (239 males and 227 females) were laboratory diagnosed with intestinal parasites, with a period prevalence of 10.7%. Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) and Giardia lamblia (G. lamblia) were the most frequent intestinal parasites. More than half of patients aged (3) 18 years had a low level of educational attainment (e.g. illiterate, primary school, high school) (170/331, 54.1%). Further, majority of patients were homemakers (42.3%, 140/331) or workers (28.1%, 93/331) employed in various business settings such as food industry and construction. Findings of this study showed that intestinal parasitic infections are still a major public health challenge in Iran that needs to be addressed. We believe that public education, improving sanitation conditions of underdeveloped areas/communities, community involvement, and supporting evidence-based practice/programs are the major keys to success in preventing the spread of intestinal parasitic infections in Iran.     

Prevalence and risk factors for wheezing in children from rural areas of north India

Phase I of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) showed marked variability in the global pattern of allergic disorders. Risk factors for asthma in children from rural areas of developing countries have not been studied. The purpose of this study was to document the prevalence of asthma-associated symptoms in children residing in rural areas and to determine risk factors for its development. We studied 8470 school children, aged 6-7 years and 13-14 years, from 10 villages on the outskirts of Delhi, India, over a 6-month period. The study was performed using the Hindi translated version of Phase III of the ISAAC questionnaires. All of the questionnaires were self-reported by children and/or parents. Frequent passage of trucks through the street near home (odds ratio [OR]: 95% CI, 1.7 [1.2-2.4]), maternal smoking (OR: 95% CI, 1.5, [1.1-2.1]), paternal smoking (OR: 95% CI, 1.3 [1.0-1.8]), total number of cigarettes smoked by both parents of more than seven per day (OR: 95% CI, 1.9 [1.3-2.7]), paracetamol intake of more than once a month (OR: 95% CI, 1.9 [1.4-2.6]), and current exposure to cats (OR: 95% CI, 1.5 [1.1-1.9]) were independently associated with occurrence of recent wheezing (in the last 12 months), whereas fruit intake of more than twice a week had a protective effect (OR: 95% CI, 0.7 [0.5-0.9]). There is a significant burden of asthma-associated symptoms in children of rural areas of north India. Occurrence of wheezing among children from rural areas of Delhi is determined by a complex interplay of environmental agents that induce allergic sensitization and are proinflammatory and environmental agents that supplement the antioxidant stores.     

Prevalence of hypertension in Guinean rural areas

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and awareness of HTA in Guinean rural populations with respect to age and gender. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional survey in rural Guinea: K?pèrè-D?fili (400 inhabitants) and T?b?l?n (900 inhabitants). PARTICIPANTS: 188 subjects (81 in K?pèrè-D?fili and 107 in T?b?l?n), 15 years and older were visited in their homes between November 2000 and April 2001. METHODS: The blood pressures were measured with an electronic tensiometer "Philips HF305". Awareness of HTA and risk factors were determined by interviews. HTA was defined as mean SBP/DBP = 140/90 mmHg. RESULTS: Overall, 69% (56/81) in K?pèrè-D?fili and 27% (29/107) in T?b?l?n were hypertensive. Among these, only 2 (K?pèrè) and 6 patients (T?b?l?n) were aware of their condition. HTA was strongly gender dependent in K?pèrè where 98% (44/45) of the males were concerned. In K?pèrè-D?fili, the combined systolo-diastolic hypertension (SDH) was predominant (80%; 45/56) and was associated to the male gender (80%; 36/45). In the hypertensive population of T?b?l?n, the isolated PAD (DH) was mainly associated with the female group (47%, 8/17). The grade III HTA (PAS/PAD > or = 180/110 mmHg) concerned both gender (41%, 18/44 for males; 42%, 5/12 for females) in K?pèrè-D?fili and mainly the female group in T?b?l?n (29%, 5/17). Smoking was the most frequently associated risk factor in the studied population of K?pèrè-D?fili (70%) and T?b?l?n (45%). The smokers were predominantly female in K?pèrè-D?fili (89%, 32/36) or male in T?b?l?n (51%, 24/47). Among the smokers, the hypertensive individuals were 96% (24/25) of the males and 38% (12/32) of the females in K?pèrè, 29% (7/24) of the males and 38% (9/24) of the females in T?b?l?n. CONCLUSION: Hypertension is highly prevalent in two Guinean rural localities where less than 5% of the studied population were aware of their conditions, suggesting the nationwide demand for preventing and controlling HTA in Guinea.     

Prevalence of HIV infection in pregnant women in remote rural areas of Maharastra State, India

In a study of 304 pregnant women, the prevalence of HIV infection in remote rural areas of western India was 0.7% (confidence interval 0.08-2.3%). It is nearly 2(1/2) times higher than the presumed prevalence for this part of the country.     

Prevalence of hemoglobinopathies in rural Bengal, India

India is in the thalassemia belt of the world. Both α- and β-thalassemia (α- and β-thal) are found in West Bengal, a state in the eastern part of India. There was no systematic large published study to investigate the prevalence rates of different hemoglobinopathies in West Bengal. This study was conducted in school and college students, newly married couples and pregnant women after proper counseling in the rural areas of five districts of West Bengal state in eastern India. Thalassemia testing was done using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A total of 35,413 individuals were screened for hemoglobinopathies. β-Thalassemia trait was found in 10.38%, Hb E [β26(B8)Glu→Lys] trait in 4.30%, sickle cell trait in 1.12%, borderline Hb A(2) value 0.73%, low Hb A(2) 0.68% and Hb D trait 0.37%. This is the first study that addresses the prevalence of different hemoglobinopathies in rural areas of West Bengal. The prevalence of β-thal trait is higher in West Bengal than other parts of India. This data is likely to be helpful in planning screening programs in rural areas of West Bengal, India.     

Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasites in Cuban children

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections and their risk factors in children in urban and rural settings in two Cuban municipalities. METHODS: A total of 1320 Cuban schoolchildren aged 4-14 were tested by stool examination for intestinal parasite infections and evaluated by parental questionnaire for a number of common environmental, sanitary, socioeconomic and behavioural risk factors. Multivariate regression was applied to examine the relationship between the respective parasite infections and the risk factors. RESULTS: Prevalences of intestinal parasite infections were 58% in Fomento and 45% in San Juan y Martínez; for helminth infections, these were 18% and 24% and for protozoa infections, 50% and 29%, respectively. Helminth infections were associated with high parental education (maternal: OR 0.68, CI 0.50-0.93; paternal: OR 0.71, CI 0.52-0.96), absence of toilet (OR 1.57, CI 1.12-2.19), consumption of water from a well or river (OR 0.56, CI 0.41-0.77) and eating unpeeled/unwashed fruit (OR 1.37, CI 1.01-1.87); protozoa infections were only associated with high maternal education (OR 0.72, CI 0.57-0.91). CONCLUSIONS: Paediatric intestinal parasite infections are still prevalent in certain areas in Cuba and associated with a number of common environmental, socioeconomic and sanitary risk factors.     

Prevalence of toxocariasis in rural and urban areas

The prevalence of toxocariasis was studied among different age groups of the population in eight municipal entities of the Sverdlovsk Region. Since 1995, the number of infected patients was shown to have annually increased by 1.4-2 times and amounted to 2.9 per 100,000. The 2003 serological surveys indicated that Toxocara antibodies were found in 8.9% of the children examined in different areas of the region. The epidemic process more actively involved rural children. Numerous tests for Toxocara eggs were more positive in the cities and towns with every amenity than in rural areas. Serodiagnostic tests demonstrated that children aged 3-6 and 7-14 years were involved into the epidemic process. The similar data were obtained in different age groups of adults. Nevertheless, among the adult population, the number of adult seropositive persons was significantly 1.9 times higher than that of children, which may reflect certain regularities in the formation of an immune stratum. The titers of serum Toxocara antibodies, being 1:800 or higher, may suggest that more than 50% of the total number of the examinees might be, in terms of clinical signs, patients with toxocariasis.     

Prevalence of childhood diabetes in an urban population in south India.

The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of insulin-dependent diabetes in children less than or equal to 15 years in an urban area in south India, by a population study. Three zones from the northeastern part of the city demarcated by the Directorate of Census were chosen. Ascertainment of the cases from these zones was made (a) by collecting data from the major hospitals and diabetes clinics by personal visit; (b) by questionnaire sent to medical practitioners in the area; and (c) from the chemists and druggists who sell insulin. Recommendations of the Diabetes Epidemiology Research International Registry Group were used. Thirty children with insulin-dependent diabetes with age at diagnosis less than or equal to 15 years were identified. The prevalence was 0.26/1000. The peak age at diagnosis was 12 years. This first population-based study of prevalence of insulin-dependent diabetes in south India shows that insulin-dependent diabetes is not rare. It is higher than reported from many other Asian countries.     

Non-biting cyclorrhaphan flies (Diptera) as carriers of intestinal human parasites in slum areas of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

A study was conducted to determine the role of non-biting cyclorrhaphan flies as carriers of intestinal parasites in slum areas of Addis Ababa from January 2004 to June 2004. A total of 9550 flies, comprising of at least seven species were collected from four selected sites and examined for human intestinal parasites using the formol-ether concentration method. The dominant fly species was Chrysomya rufifacies (34.9%) followed by Musca domestica (31%), Musca sorbens (20.5.%), Lucina cuprina (6.8%), Sarcophaga sp. (2.8%), Calliphora vicina (2.2%) and Wohlfahrtia sp. (1.8%). Six intestinal helminths (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, hookworms, Hymenolepis nana, Taenia spp. and Strongyloides stercoralis) and at least four protozoan parasites (Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Entamoeba coli, Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium sp.) were isolated from both the external and gut contents of the flies. A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura among the helminths and E. histolytica/dispar and E. coli among the protozoans were the dominant parasites detected both on the external and in the gut contents of the flies, but occurring more in the latter. Among the flies, C. rufifacies and M. sorbens were the highest carriers of the helminth and protozoan parasites, respectively. The public health significance of these findings is highlighted.     

A rural public-private partnership model in tuberculosis control in south India.

SETTING: A rural tuberculosis (TB) unit in South India, 2001-2003. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a rural public-private partnership model (PPPM) within the TB control programme (RNTCP). DESIGN: All of the private practitioners trained in modern medicine (PPs, n = 52) and the private laboratories (PLs, n = 13) in the area were listed. The PPs underwent training about the RNTCP, and PL staff were trained in sputum microscopy. PPPM included referral of TB suspects to the smear microscopy centres (government or PLs) for diagnosis and treatment of patients as per RNTCP guidelines. Patients were back-referred to the PPs. The directly observed treatment providers and centres were chosen by the PPs in consultation with their patients. The case detection rate, cure rate and profile of patients referred by the PPs were compared with those of self-reported patients. RESULTS: Of 489 TB suspects referred by the PPs, 24% were smear-positive compared to 10% of 15 278 self-reported patients (P < 0.001). Of 319 referred to PLs, 7% were smear-positive. The annual average case detection rate increased from 66 to 75 per 100 000 population. The cure rates of patients referred by the PPs were comparable to those of self-reported patients. CONCLUSIONS: This rural PPPM is effective and does not require additional staff or any direct financial incentives.     

Prevalence of dyslipidemia in the elderly in rural areas of Thailand

Dyslipidemia is highly prevalent in the urban areas of Thailand but information in the rural area, particularly in the elderly, is limited. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia in the elderly who live in the rural areas of Thailand. Random sampling of the volunteers aged > or = 60 years in 3 districts of Samut Songkhram and Ratchaburi provinces was done. After 12-hour fast, the blood sampling was drawn for the analysis of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Eighty men and 123 women, aged 60-87 years old, were included in the study. Mean serum lipid levels of cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were 261.74+/-47.58, 180.35+/-45.06, 43.72+/-12.06, and 188.38+/-103.84 mg/dl respectively. Women had significantly higher body mass index, cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels than men. Seventy percent of them had cholesterol > or = 240 mg/dl and LDL cholesterol > or = 160 mg/dl. Twenty-five percent had HDL cholesterol < or = 35 mg/dl. However, LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio > 5 which indicated high risk for coronary heart disease were found in only 34%. In conclusion, prevalence of dyslipidemia was very high in Thai rural elderly. Further surveillance in this population is essential in verifying the impact of dyslipidemia as a risk of cardiovascular disease in Thai elderly people.     

Direct and indirect costs of the acute form of lymphatic filariasis to households in rural areas of Tamil Nadu, south India

Summary This study examined the direct and indirect costs due to acute form of lymphatic filariasis caused by Wuchereria bancrofti to the households in rural communities in Tamil Nadu state in south India. For nearly one-third of the acute adenolymphangitis (ADL) episodes the affected did not seek treatment and for 27% of the episodes they consulted health personnel, underwent treatment and paid for it. On average, the ADL patients spent Rupees (Rs.) 2.35 (US $ 0.07) per episode on treatment, but expenditure was as high as Rs. 32.11 (US $ 0.92) among those who paid. Doctor's fees and medicines constituted 83% of the total treatment costs. Patients with multiple and longer duration episodes and with better living conditions spent relatively more on treatment. The proportion of patients who spent money on treatment was smaller in poorer households, but their treatment costs formed a relatively higher proportion of their income than those of middle and high-income households. The ADL episodes curtailed economic and domestic activities. In 87% of the episodes, the affected were not able to attend any economic activity compared to 37% of the episodes in the case of controls. Patients spent only 0.68 ± 1.91 hours on economic activity compared to 4.40 ± 3.74 hours by the control individuals during the ADL episodes. The sign rank test showed that the mean difference of 3.73 ± 3.81 and 2.14 ± 1.83 hours in the time spent on economic and domestic activity respectively between cases and controls was highly significant ( P 0.01). Regression analysis demonstrated that the difference in the time spent on activities is only due to ADL and no socio-economic variable had any effect on it. The cost of treatment and loss in economic activities combined with high incidence in the study communities indicate the extent of the economic burden imposed by the hitherto neglected acute form of lymphatic filariasis and the necessity to control it.     

Prevalence of intestinal parasites among school children in northern districts of West Bank-Palestine

Objectives To assess the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections in northern districts of West Bank, Palestine and to determine associated sociodemographic factors. Methods Random sampling of schoolchildren from rural and urban areas was carried out. Participants provided faecal samples and answered a questionnaire about their demographics and hygiene habits. Faecal samples underwent microscopy and PCR to screen for protozoan and helminths. Results Seven hundred and thirty‐five samples were collected from children aged 9.5 years on average. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 22.2%. The rates of infections with amoeba, Giardia intestinalis, Entrobius vermicularis and Ascaris lumbricoides were 9.7%, 4.1%, 1.6% and 3.8%, respectively. Real‐time PCR was performed to differentiate between Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar. Results showed that 14% of samples positive with microscopy for amoeba were positive for E. histolytica. There was no significant association between sex and rates of infections (P‐value > 0.05). There were, however, significant association between parasite infections and parents’ education, place of residence, washing hands habits (P‐value > 0.05). No significant association was found with number of family members or eating in school canteens (P‐value > 0.05). Conclusions Intestinal parasite infections are endemic in West Bank. Interventions such as health education and sanitation are needed.