article · PLoS ONE
Intestinal parasitic infections affect a substantial proportion of young children in Egypt. A cross-sectional investigation of 996 preschool and school-aged children in Gharbia governorate revealed an overall parasite prevalence of 46.2 percent. Entamoeba histolytica and Ascaris lumbricoides were the most frequently identified species, followed by Enterobius vermicularis and Giardia lamblia. Notably, asymptomatic infections were significantly more common than symptomatic cases. Infection rates were strongly linked to socioeconomic factors, with preschool age, rural residence, and low household income showing the highest odds of infection. Poor hygiene practices, including eating unwashed vegetables, inadequate handwashing, and lacking safe drinking water, substantially increased infection risk. Furthermore, exposure to domestic pets, livestock, and stray animals heightened the likelihood of contracting specific zoonotic parasites. Controlling these infections requires routine health screenings, targeted treatment programmes, companion animal deworming, and public health education.
Intestinal parasitic infections pose a critical threat to child health, often spreading silently without obvious symptoms. By identifying specific environmental risks, socioeconomic drivers, and animal transmission pathways, health authorities can design targeted hygiene interventions, improve local sanitation, and implement routine screening programmes that safeguard vulnerable children in rural communities.
The abstract describes epidemiological observational research and does not detail a specific commercial product. However, the findings provide evidence that could inform the deployment of point-of-care diagnostic screening tools, child-focused anti-parasitic treatments, and veterinary deworming products by public health bodies and healthcare suppliers. Because the findings are observational, direct commercial applications remain at an early concept stage requiring dedicated technology development.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are among the major public health problems globally, particularly in developing countries like Egypt. This study aimed to evaluate prevalence and risk factors associated with IPIs among preschool and school children in Egypt. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 996 randomly selected preschool and school-aged children in Gharbia governorate during January to April 2018. Stool specimens were examined for the presence of the parasite by direct smear and the formol-ether concentration methods. The overall prevalence of IPIs was 46.2%. Entamoeba histolytica and Ascaris lumbricoides were the most predominant parasites (12.7% per each). This is followed by Enterobius vermicularis (8.6%), Giardia lamblia (7.1%), Cryptosporidium parvum (1.5%), Heterophyes heterophyes (1.4%), Hymenolepis nana (0.7%), Hookworms (0.6%), Fasciola hepatica (0.5%) and Dipylidium caninum (0.4%). Infected children with no symptoms (26.8%) were significantly (P < 0.001) more frequent than those with medical complaint (19.4%). Socio-demographic predictors of IPIs were preschool age (OR = 4.9; P < 0.001; 95%CI 3.3-7.3), living in rural dwellings (OR = 1.96; P < 0.001; 95%CI 1.5-2.5), and belonging to a low-income family (OR = 4.7; P < 0.001; 95%CI 2.3-9.3). The absence of safe drinking water, lack of hand washing (after soil contact, or before meals, or after toilet usage), and eating unwashed vegetables were risk factors for IPIs in the study region (OR = 1.3-6.9, P < 0.001 -P = 0.05). Higher odds for exposure to potential zoonotic parasites were evident in children with pets in their homes for G. lambia and D. caninum (OR = 2.1-8.3; P = 0.02 -P = 0.04), children having household reared ruminants for C. parvum (OR = 10.4; P < 0.001), and children that play with stray animals for E. histolytica and Hookworm (OR = 1.8-6.3; P = 0.04 -P = 0.05)compared to other children with no animal contact. The present study highlights the importance of periodic screening and treatment of IPIs in children, deworming companion animals, and public education for effective prevention of IPIs in children in Egypt.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258037
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
