Prevalence and determinant factors of hookworm infection among school age children in Jawe district, NorthWest Ethiopia

Background: Hookworm infection is a common parasitic infection in sub-Saharan Africa. The prevalence of hookworm infection is influenced by different determinant factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hookworm infection and determinant factors among school age children in North West Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2016 to August 2016. Children were selected by systematic random sampling and Formoleether concentration technique was used to identify hookworm infection. We conducted descriptive and logistic regression analysis for categorical variables. The adjusted odds ratio was calculated at 95% confidence interval. Results: Among 333 children, 49 (14.7%) were infected with hookworm parasites. Eating raw vegetables, not wearing shoes, absence of regular wearing of shoes and hand washing habit, absence of proper utilization of latrines, absence of deworming were significantly associated (p<0.05) with hookworm infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of hookworm infection was high among school age children. Walking with bare foot, hand washing habit, and absence of proper latrine utilization are the major determinant factors for the high prevalence of hookworm infection. Therefore, community mobilization and health education should be done to decrease hookworm infection among school age children in Jawe district

Sero-prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus infection among pregnant women in Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia: a cross sectional study

The rostrum dace is a rheophilous Cyprinid fish endemic to some French catchments. Particularly vulnerable to its habitat degradation, the rostrum dace appears to be a patrimonial species. Morphometric features were used to identify populations in a heavily impounded river, the Viaur River. A total of 176 fish, spread over 7 stations, were photographed and then released. A linear discriminant analysis correctly classified more than 80% of the individuals. Significant relationships were found between the morphological differences and (i) the geographical distance, and (ii) the number of artificial barriers (i.e. dams and weirs) between the stations. These results show that discrete dace morphological units occur in the Viaur River and therefore suggest a fragmentation of the population. Although further investigations (e.g. genetics, life history traits, etc.) are necessary to refine these results, conservation measures should be undertaken to preserve this endemic species in the Viaur River

Water safety, sanitation and hygiene related knowledge, attitudes and practices among household residents in peri-urban areas in Northwest Ethiopia

AbstractBackground: People living is peri-urban areas in Sub-Saharan Africa are faced with the challenge of improving sanitation, hygiene and access to safe water supplies. However, there is limited information on the knowledge, attitudes and practices of household residents in relation to water safety, sanitation and hygiene. This study was carried out in three peri-urban areas to determine residents’ knowledge, attitudes and practices, as well as ascertain their sources of drinking water and access to sanitation facilities.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at household level in three peri-urban areas in May 2016. Data were collected through face-to face interviews using a structured questionnaire.Results: Overall, 590 adults took part in the study. The overall mean knowledge of adults in terms of water safety, sanitation and hygiene was 78.1% (95% CI: 76.7-79.4). Adults’ favorable attitudes to water safety, sanitation and hygiene was 73.6% (95% CI: 71.1-76.1). Household water treatment (HWT) was practiced by one-third (34%) of the respondents. Chlorination, called wuha agare in Amharic, was a major (20%) method of HWT. Latrines were used by 523 (88.6%) respondents, with 129 (22%) using shared public latrines. Open defecation was practiced by 67 (11.3%) respondents. The respondents with a higher level of education had good knowledge and practices in relation to safe water, sanitation and hygiene compared to participants with no formal education (P<0.001). Hand washing with soap was more likely to be practiced by younger people (COR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.3-3.0) and those who were formally educated (COR = 4.1; 95% CI: 2.3-7.3). The two-week diarrhea prevalence was significantly higher among households with no practice of HWT compared to households with HWT practices (21.2% vs 13%; P<0.02).Conclusions: The educational status of household residents was associated with good levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices in relation to water safety, sanitation and hygiene. HWT, open defecation and shared latrines are matters that still require intervention in peri-urban areas. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2018;32(3):00-000]Key words: Knowledge, attitude, practices, water, sanitation, peri-urban

Prevalence and determinant factors of hookworm infection among school age children in Jawe district, NorthWest Ethiopia

Background: Hookworm infection is a common parasitic infection in sub-Saharan Africa. The prevalence of hookworm infection is influenced by different determinant factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hookworm infection and determinant factors among school age children in North West Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2016 to August 2016. Children were selected by systematic random sampling and Formoleether concentration technique was used to identify hookworm infection. We conducted descriptive and logistic regression analysis for categorical variables. The adjusted odds ratio was calculated at 95% confidence interval. Results: Among 333 children, 49 (14.7%) were infected with hookworm parasites. Eating raw vegetables, not wearing shoes, absence of regular wearing of shoes and hand washing habit, absence of proper utilization of latrines, absence of deworming were significantly associated (p<0.05) with hookworm infection. Conclusion: The prevalence of hookworm infection was high among school age children. Walking with bare foot, hand washing habit, and absence of proper latrine utilization are the major determinant factors for the high prevalence of hookworm infection. Therefore, community mobilization and health education should be done to decrease hookworm infection among school age children in Jawe district

Antibiogram of E. coli serotypes isolated from children aged under five with acute diarrhea in Bahir Dar town

Background: Diarrheal disease and its complications remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. The prevalence and antibiogram of E. coli as causative agents of diarrhea vary from region to region, and even within countries in the same geographical area. Objectives: To determine the serotype and antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli in children under-five years of age. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 children with diarrhea from December 2011 to February 2012. Identification of E. coli and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were done following standard procedures. Results: The overall isolation rate of E. coli was 48.3%. Poly 2 sero-groups, poly 3 sero-groups, poly 4 sero-groups and E. coli O157:H7 accounted for 80 (39.2%), 40 (19.6%), 25 (12.3%), and 59 (28.9%) of the isolates, respectively. Poly 2 sero- groups, constituting isolates belonging to enteropathogenic E. coli were the most commonly isolated serotypes. E. coli exhibited high levels of antimicrobial resistance to ampicillin (86.8%), tetracycline (76%) and cotrimoxazole (76%). Low levels of resistance to ciprofloxacin (6.9%) and norfloxacin (9.3%) were documented. Conclusion: High prevalence of diarrheagenic E. coli compounded by alarming antimicrobial resistances is a serious public health problem. Regular determination of antibiogram and public education are recommended

Performance of Laboratory Professionals Working on Malaria Microscopy in Tigray, North Ethiopia

Background. Microscopic analysis of stained blood smear is the most suitable method of malaria diagnosis. However, gaps were observed among clinical laboratory professionals in microscopic diagnosis of malaria. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2015 among 46 laboratory professionals. Data was collected via on-site assessment and panel testing. The slide panel testing was composed of positive and negative slides. The kappa score was used to estimate the agreement between participants and reference reader. Results. The overall agreement between the study participants and the reference reader in malaria detection was 79% (kappa = 0.62). Participating in refresher training on malaria microscopy (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR = 7, CI = 1.5–36.3)) and malaria epidemic investigation (AOR = 4.1 CI = 1.1–14.5) had statistical significant association with detection rate of malaria parasites. Conclusion. Laboratory professionals showed low performance in malaria microscopy. Most of the study participants were graded “in-training” in laboratory diagnosis of malaria

High prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis in school-aged children in a rural highland of north-western Ethiopia: the role of intensive diagnostic work-up

Background: Soil-transmitted helminthiases (hookworms, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura) are extremely prevalent in school-aged children living in poor sanitary conditions. Recent epidemiological data suggest that Strongyloides stercoralis is highly unreported. However, accurate data are essential for conducting interventions aimed at introducing control and elimination programmes. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 396 randomly selected school-aged children in Amhara region in rural area in north-western Ethiopia, to assess the prevalence of S. stercoralis and other intestinal helminths. We examined stools using three techniques: conventional stool concentration; and two S. stercoralis-specific methods, i.e. the Baermann technique and polymerase chain reaction. The diagnostic accuracy of these three methods was then compared. Results: There was an overall prevalence of helminths of 77.5%, with distribution differing according to school setting. Soil-transmitted helminths were recorded in 69.2%. Prevalence of S. stercoralis and hookworm infection was 20.7 and 54.5%, respectively, and co-infection was detected in 16.3% of cases. Schistosoma mansoni had a prevalence of 15.7%. Prevalence of S. stercoralis was shown 3.5% by the conventional method, 12.1% by the Baermann method, and 13.4% by PCR, which thus proved to be the most sensitive. Conclusions: Our results suggest that S. stercoralis could be overlooked and neglected in Ethiopia, if studies of soil-transmitted helminths rely on conventional diagnostic techniques alone. A combination of molecular and stool microscopy techniques yields a significantly higher prevalence. In view of the fact that current control policies for triggering drug administration are based on parasite prevalence levels, a comprehensive diagnostic approach should instead be applied to ensure comprehensive control of helminth infections.This study was funded by the Mundo Sano Foundation and the Network of Tropical Diseases Research Center (Red de Investigación cooperative de Enfermedades Tropicales-RICET)S

The outcome of trachomatous trichiasis surgery in Ethiopia: risk factors for recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Over 1.2 million people are blind from trachomatous trichiasis (TT). Lid rotation surgery is the mainstay of treatment, but recurrence rates can be high. We investigated the outcomes (recurrence rates and other complications) of posterior lamellar tarsal rotation (PLTR) surgery, one of the two most widely practised TT procedures in endemic settings. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted a two-year follow-up study of 1300 participants who had PLTR surgery, conducted by one of five TT nurse surgeons. None had previously undergone TT surgery. All participants received a detailed trachoma eye examination at baseline and 6, 12, 18 and 24 months post-operatively. The study investigated the recurrence rates, other complications and factors associated with recurrence. Recurrence occurred in 207/635 (32.6%) and 108/641 (16.9%) of participants with pre-operative major (>5 trichiatic lashes) and minor (5 lashes (major recurrence). Recurrence was greatest in the first six months after surgery: 172 cases (55%) occurring in this period. Recurrence was associated with major TT pre-operatively (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.83-3.11), pre-operative entropic lashes compared to misdirected/metaplastic lashes (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.23-3.20), age over 40 years (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.14-2.20) and specific surgeons (surgeon recurrence risk range: 18%-53%). Granuloma occurred in 69 (5.7%) and notching in 156 (13.0%). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Risk of recurrence is high despite high volume, highly trained surgeons. However, the vast majority are minor recurrences, which may not have significant corneal or visual consequences. Inter-surgeon variation in recurrence is concerning; surgical technique, training and immediate post-operative lid position require further investigation