Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Asymptomatic Primary Schoolchildren at Al-Sabeen District in Sana’a City, Yemen
Views 223
Abstract
Intestinal parasitic infections are the most regularly documented in Yemen and are a significant health problem among schoolchildren, with an occurrence ranging from 18% to 90%. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among asymptomatic primary schoolchildren at Al-Sabeen district in Sana’a city, Yemen. A total of one hundred and seventy-three (173) stool specimens were collected from January to March 2021 from primary school children according to standard laboratory methods. The simple sedimentation technique was used for specimen processing and the specimen was examined under a light microscope. The required information was collected by a structured questionnaire. The results showed that the overall intestinal parasitic infection was among 107 (61.85%) schoolchildren, 56 (63.63%) in public schools, and 51 (60%) in private schools. Also, male children were more infected by intestinal parasitic infection compared to females. The infection rate by intestinal protozoa and helminths was 79.72% and 20.28%, respectively. The most predominant parasite found among public schools was Entamoeba histolytica ((49.32%), followed by Giardia lamblia (30.14%), Hymenolepis nana (9.59%), Taenia species (6.84%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (4.11%). Whereas in private schools, G. lamblia was recorded at 48.57% followed by E. histolytica (31.43%), H. nana (7.14%), A. lumbricoides (7.14%), Taenia species (6.84%), and Enterobius vermicularis (2.86%). The high multiple infection rate was 23.53%, as recorded by two types of intestinal parasites. From this study, it can be recommended that regular treatment of intestinal parasitic infections and deworming of schoolchildren, as well as health education programs, will provide parents with information on how to avoid parasitic infections among children, promote personal hygiene, adequate water supply, and sufficient sanitary practices.
Keywords
Asymptomatic,
Intestinal Parasite,
Prevalence,
Primary,
Schoolchildren,
Sana’a, Yemen.
Authors’ Contribution
WHE, BAA and LMA conceived and designed the study. AGA, ABA, DHO, EQA, SSA, SMA and STA performed the experiments, and analyzed data. WHE and BAA wrote and revised the paper.
How to cite
Edrees, W.H., Al-Ofairi, B.A., Alsaifi, A.G., Alrahabi, L.M., Alnjar, A.A., Othrub, D.H., Alhadhri, Q.B., Alghuzi, S.S., Alyousfi, S.M., Alansi, S.T., 2022. Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Asymptomatic Primary Schoolchildren at Al-Sabeen District in Sana’a City, Yemen. PSM Biol. Res., 7(1): 34-45.
REFERENCES
Abdullah, Q.Y., Al-Helali, M.F., Al-Mahbashi, A., Qaaed, S.T., Edrees, W.H., 2020. Seroprevalence of dengue fever virus among suspected patients in Taiz Governorate-Yemen. Univ. J. Pharmac. Res., 5(5): 21-26.
Al-Haddad, A., Baswaid, S., 2010. Frequency of intestinal parasitic infection among children in Hadhramout governorate (Yemen). J. Egypt. Soc. Parasitol., 40: 479-486.
Al-Mekhlafi, A.M., Abdul-Ghani, R., Al-Eryani, S.M., Saif-Ali, R., Mahdy, M.A., 2016. School-based prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated risk factors in rural communities of Sana’a, Yemen. Acta. Trop., 163: 135-141.
Alshahethi, M.A., Edrees, W.H., Mogalli, N.M., Al-Halani, A.A., 2020a. Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica among children attending Healthcare centres at Amran governorate, Yemen. PSM Biol. Res., 5(3): 98-105.
Alshahethi, M.A., Edrees, W.H., Mogalli, N.M., Al-Halani, A.A., Al-Shehari, W.A., Reem, A., 2020b. Distribution and risk factors for Giardia lamblia among children at Amran Governorate, Yemen. Univ. J. Pharmac. Res., 5(3): 34-37.
Alsubaie, A.R., Azazy, A.A., Omer, E.O., Al-Shibani, L.A., Al-Mekhlafi, A.Q., Al-Khawlani, F.A., 2016. Pattern of parasitic infections as public health problem among school children: A comparative study between rural and urban areas. J. Taibah Univ. Medical Sci., 11(1): 13–18.
Alwabr, A.G., Al-Moayed, E., 2016. Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among school children of Al-Mahweet Governorate, Yemen. Eur. J. Biol. R., 6(2): 64-73.
Alyousefi, N.A., Mahdy, M.K., Mahmud, R., Lim, Y.L., 2011. Factors associated with high prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among patients in Sana’a City, Yemen. PLoS ONE., 6(7): e22044.
Anuar, T.S., Al-Mekhlafi, H.M., Ghani, M.A., Osman, E., Yasin, A.M., Nordin, A., et al., 2012. Prevalence and risk factors associated with Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/ moshkovskii infection among three Orang Asli ethnic groups in Malaysia. PLoS ONE., 7(10): e48165.
Awasthi, S., Bundy, D., Savioli, L., 2003. Helminthic infections. BMJ. 323:431-4333.
Chacon-Cruz, E., Mitchell, D., 2003. Intestinal protozoal diseases. Med. J., 3(5):1–11.
Cheesbrough, M., 2010. District laboratory practice in tropical countries. Part 1, 2nd ed. Cambridge., 200-208.
Edrees, H.W., Al-Awar, S.M., 2020. Bacterial contamination of mobile phones of medical laboratory workers at Sana’a city, Yemen and their antimicrobial susceptibility. J. Pharm. Pharmac. Res., 8(6): 591-599.
Edrees, H.W., Anbar, A.A., 2020. Prevalence and antibacterial susceptibility of bacterial uropathogens isolated from pregnant women in Sana’a, Yemen. PSM Biol. Res., 5(4): 157-165.
Edrees, H.W., Anbar, A.A., 2021. Prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of Streptococcus pyogenes isolated from schoolchildren in Sana’a City, Yemen. PSM Vet. Res., 6(2): 22-30.
Edrees, H.W., Banafa, A.M., 2021. Antibacterial susceptibility of isolated bacteria from wound infection patients presenting at some government hospitals at Sana’a city, Yemen. Al-Razi. Univ. J. Med. Sci., 5(1): 1-13.
Edrees, H.W., Mogalli, N.M., Alabdaly, K.W., 2021a. Assessment of some clinical and laboratory profiles among dengue fever patients in Hajjah Government, Yemen. Univ. J. Pharmac. Res., 6(2): 38-41.
Edrees, W.H., Alshahethi, M.A., Alariqi, R.R., Khoailed, A.A., Saif, W.W., Al-Saqaf, S.B., Al-Awar, M.S., 2021b. Detection of intestinal parasites of some fresh vegetables and their consumers in Sana’a City, Yemen. Al-Razi. Univ. J. Med. Sci., 5 (2):19-25.
Kia, E.B., Hossein, M., Nilforoushan, M.R., Memar, A.R., Rezaeian, M., 2008. Study of intestinal protozoan parasites in rural inhabitants of Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran. Ir. J. Parasitol., 3(1): 22–25.
Mogalli, N.M., Edrees,W.H., Al-Awar, M.S., Alshahethi, M.A., Al-Shehari, W.A., 2020. Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among primary schoolchildren in Kohlan district at Hajjah governorate, Yemen. Al-Razi. Univ. J. Med. Sci., 4 (2): 34-39.
Mohammed, K., Abdullah, M., Omar, J., 2015. Intestinal parasitic infection and assessment of risk factors in North-western. Nigeria: A Community Based Study. Int. J. Pharma Med. Biol. Sci., 4(2): 141–145.
Nematian, J., Nematian, E., Gholamrezanezhad, A., Asgar, A.A., 2004. Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and their relation with socio-economic factors and hygienic habits in Tehran primary school students. Acta. Tropica., 92: 179-186.
Okyay, P., Ertug, S., Gultekin, B., Onen, O., Beser, E., 2004. Intestinal parasites prevalence and related factors in school children, a western city sample-Turkey. BMC Public Health. 4(64).
Qasem, A.E., Edrees, H.W., Al-Shehari A.W., Alshahethi, A.M., 2020. Frequency of intestinal parasitic infection among schoolchildren in Ibb city, Yemen. Univ. J. Pharmac. Res., 5(2): 35-39.
Sackev, M.E., 2001. Intestinal factors and parasite infections: prevalence, risk factors and consequences for child growth, Iron status and development in rural Ecuador. Msc. Thesis; Virginia Polytechnic and State University; Ecuador.
Satoskar, A.R., Simon, G.L., Hotez, P.J., Tsuji, M., 2009. Medical parasitology. edited. Austin, Texas: Landes Bioscience.
World Health Organization (WHO) 2012. Soil-transmitted helminthiases. In: Eliminating soil-transmitted helminthiases as a public health problem in children: Progress report 2001–2010 and strategic plan 2011–2020. WHO, Geneva.
World Health Organization (WHO) 2016. Soil-transmitted helminth infections. Geneva: WHO.
Related Content
Quick Links
Announcements
Call for papers: The PSM – Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal
Call for papers: PSM Veterinary Research
Call for papers: International Journal of Alternative Fuels and Energy
Call for papers: International Journal of Nanotechnology and Allied Sciences
Call for papers: PSM Biological Research
Call for papers: International Journal of Molecular Microbiology
Call for papers: PSM Microbiology
Letter from the Editor of Publications
Antibacterial Compounds from Ethanolic Extract of Scenedesmus obliquus as Alternatives to Antibiotics
Bioactivity of Natural Compounds Extracted from Scenedesmus obliquus toward Some Pathogenic Bacteria
Early Feed Restriction Can Affect the Behavior and Welfare of Mule Ducks
The Impact of Stress on Laboratory Animals and Variability in Research Outcome