title: The prevalence of Hymenolepis nana among preschool children of displacement communities in Khartoum state, Sudan: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hymenolepis nana is among the most common intestinal parasitic infections causing a public health threat in poor communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of H. nana infections and associated risk factors among preschool children of displacement communities in Khartoum state, Sudan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted in May 2013 in displacement camps, Khartoum state, Sudan. A simple random sample of preschool children from the displacement camps, aged between 1 and 5 years, were included. Information was collected by presenting a questionnaire and taking 500 fresh stool specimens which were examined microscopically for the presence of eggs, using direct saline and formal-ether concentration techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of H. nana was determined to be 32.6% (163/500), 95% CI (28.5%-36.9%). Infections of H. nana were more prevalent among males than females, and this association was statistically significant (P < 0.001, OR = 2.125, 95% CI = 1.452-3.108). H. nana infections were significantly prevalent among the older age group (2.6-5.0 years) (P < 0.001, OR = 2.909, 95% CI = 1.914-4.420). Approximately 76.7% of infected preschool children had diarrhea and it was significantly associated with H. nana infection (P < 0.001, OR = 9.45, 95% CI = 6.10-14.64). None of the preschool children had access to a clean water supply. No significant association was found between use of latrines and infections of H. nana (P = 0.56, OR = 0.880, 95% CI = 0.73-1.763).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a high prevalence rate of H. nana infection among preschool children of displacement camps in Khartoum state, Sudan. Being male, aged between 2.6 and 5.0 years, and having diarrhea were identified as important risk factors for H. nana infection. Measures including health education, environmental hygiene, water supply and treatment should be taken into account to reduce the high prevalence of H. nana.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan. Electronic address: mahdi@iend.org.
authors.forename: Muzamil Mahdi
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Abdel Hamid
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Baha University, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: aljack123@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Ibrahim A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Eljack
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan. Electronic address: mohamadkhatim9@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mohammad Khatim M
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Osman
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan. Electronic address: arwalaagip@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Arwa Hassan
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Elaagip
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan. Electronic address: mohamedsideeg@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mohamed S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Muneer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006925:Hymenolepiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D048189:Hymenolepis nana; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D012036:Refugees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013397:Sudan / Q000453:epidemiology; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
keywords: Hymenolepis nana; Preschool children; Prevalence; Risk factors; Sudan