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| Title: | Intestinal helminths in Luweero District, Uganda |
| Authors: | Dumba, Robinah
Kaddu, John B.
Wabwire-Mangen, Fred |
| Keywords: | Helminth infections
Hygiene practices
Risk factors
Luweero district
Intestinal worms
Intestinal helminths
Worms
Parasitic disease |
| Issue Date: | 2008 |
| Publisher: | Makerere University Medical School |
| Citation: | Dumba, R., Kaddu, J.B., Wabwire-Mangen, F. (2008). Intestinal helminths in Luweero District, Uganda. African Health Sciences, 8(1) |
| Abstract: | Background: Intestinal helminthiasis is a debilitating parasitic disease found in many parts of Uganda including Luweero district. In
the district, the disease causes as high as 9% morbidity in children below five years. There was very scanty district information on the
disease based mainly on hospital records despite this figure. The current study was carried out to provide data to plan for its effective
control.
Objective: To investigate risk factors that promote helminth infections among children under five years of age in Luweero district.
Methods: Stool samples from 727 children were examined for presence of helminth ova using Kato-Katz technique. The subjects’
parents or guardians were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire to establish their demographic, social-cultural
characteristics; information on water accessibility and usage; child toileting practices and knowledge about helminthiasis.
Results: Risk factors strongly associated with helminth infections included methods of anal cleaning, how compounds and latrines
were maintained, keeping of pigs and age of the subjects, (P <0.001). In addition, methods of hand washing after latrine visits, the
respondents’ education level, type of house floor and household compound as well as accessibility to water were associated with
worm infection.
Conclusion: The hygiene practices of the parents/guardians and environmental surroundings in which the child grows play a big part in
determining his or her helminth status. The District Health workers, community leaders and extension staff should educate the community
on the importance of personal hygiene and environmental sanitation to minimize the risks of helminth infections.
Key words: Helminth infections, hygiene practices, risk factors and Luweero district.
Running head: Risk factors for helminth infections. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1868 |
| ISSN: | 1680-6905 |
| Appears in Collections: | Research Articles (Health-Sciences)
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Files in This Item:
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Description |
Size | Format |
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| Ddumba-chs-res.pdf | | 150Kb | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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