Soil-transmitted helminth infection and urbanization in 880 primary school children in Nicaragua, 2005.
The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis is close to half the population in Central America, with the marginalized peri-urban poor disproportionately affected. Previous single province helminth surveys conducted in Nicaragua have shown Ascaris lumbricoides to be the predominant species. In 2005, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 880 children in 10 Nicaraguan primary schools located in four provinces. We aimed to establish the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth infections and to investigate the factors associated with helminthiasis. Almost half (46%) of the children were infected with soil-transmitted helminths. Tichuris trichiura was the most common infective species (34.7%). The prevalence and intensity of helminthiasis was heterogeneous in the provinces, with children educated in peri-urban schools most affected. Healthy policies are required that favour the peri-urban poor who have inadequate and declining access to water and sanitation.
Rosewell
Alexander
A
Pan American Health Organization, Complejo Nacional de Salud, Concepcion Palacios, Managua, Apartado Postal 1309, Nicaragua. rosewella@wpro.who.int
Robleto
Guillermo
G
Rodríguez
Guillermo
G
Barragne-Bigot
Philippe
P
Amador
Juan José
JJ
Aldighieri
Sylvain
S
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D000818:Animals; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission*; D006376:Helminths / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009527:Nicaragua / Q000453:epidemiology; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D012987:Soil / Q000469:parasitology*; D014505:Urban Population; D014507:Urbanization
D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D012987:Soil