Comparative assessment of intestinal helminths prevalence in Water,Sanitation and Hygiene(WASH) intervention and non-intervention communities in Abeokuta,Nigeria

Objective:This study compared the prevalence of intestinal helminths in Water,Sanitation and Hygiene(WASH) intervention and non-intervention communities in Abeokuta,Nigeria.Methods:Stool samples were collected from 225 respondents in a study carried out between July and November,2014.Stool samples were examined for presence of helminths using Formol-Ether concentration method.Data collected from stool samples were analyzed using SPSS for Windows(version 16).Results:Results showed that,at the intervention community,88 out of 113 respondents were infected with at least one helminth infection while at non-intervention community,80 out of 112 respondents were infected.This result revealed overall helminth prevalence of78% at Mawuko and 71% at Isolu.In both intervention(Mawuko) and non-intervention(Isolu) communities,hookworm was the most prevalent helminth observed(21% and18%,respectively) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides(13% and 13%,respectively),Taenia sp.(4% and 3%,respectively) and Trichostrongylus sp.(1% and 3%,respectively).Cases of single infections of Trichuris trichiura,Strongyloides stercoralis and Hymenolepsis nana were observed only at the non-intervention community.However,S.stercoralis occurred in the multiple infections observed at the intervention community.Significantly more(p < 0.05) cases of infections were observed in male(46%) at the intervention community than female(31%) while in non-intervention community females(39%) were significantly(p < 0.05) more infected than their male counterparts(32%).Conclusions:This study concludes that the Community Led-Total Sanitation intervention programme,which was executed in Mawuko was not effective as expected.

Intestinal helminth infections and associated risk factors among adults in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Background Helminthiases are highly endemic in Southeast Asia,including the Lao People’s Democratic Republic(Lao PDR).This study aimed to assess the current intestinal helminth infections and the associated risk factors among adults across the Lao PDR.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 165 villages across 17 provinces and the Vientiane Capital,Lao PDR.A multi-stage sampling method was employed to select the adult study participants(≥18 years).Data collection included(1)interview of the study participants,(2)physical measurements,and(3)a fve gram of stool sample from each study participant was collected and preserved in 10%formalin solution for intestinal helminth detection using formalin-ether concentration technique(FECT).Descriptive analysis was used to describe the socio-demographic characteristics of study participants and the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections.Logistic regressions were applied to test the association between intestinal helminth infection and individual risk factors.A P-value below 0.05 was considered statistically signifcant.Results A total of 2800 study participants were enrolled.Their average age was 46.0 years;57.8%were female.Overall,30.9%,8.6%and 1.5%of study participants were infected with one,two,or three diferent intestinal helminth species,respectively.Among the study participants 21.6%were infected with hookworm,18.8%with Opisthorchis viverrini-like(Ov-like)infection,4.8%with Strongyloides stercoralis,2.3%with Ascaris lumbricoides,1.5%with Trichuris trichiura,and 3.3%with Taenia spp.Ov-like infection was of high prevalence in the southern(28.8%)and central(21.3%)provinces,while hookworm(26.3%),A.lumbricoides(7.3%),T.trichiura(3.1%),and Taenia spp.(4.2%)were prevalent in the northern provinces.Risk analysis showed that men were more likely to be infected with hookworm[adjusted odds ratio(aOR)=1.2,P=0.019].The Lao-Tai ethnic group had a 5.2-times(P<0.001)higher chance of having Ov-like infection than the minorities.Possession of toilet facility at home was associated with reduced odds for Ov-like(aOR=0.4,P<0.001)and hookworm(aOR=0.6,P<0.001)infections.Conclusions Our study provides a nationwide update of the intestinal helminth prevalence among adults in Lao PDR.To the best of our knowledge,this is the frst Lao nationwide survey on intestinal helminth infections and risk factors in adults.It provides crucial information for national control programs for intestinal helminth infections in Lao PDR.

Nobel prize for the artemisinin and ivermectin discoveries: a great boost towards elimination of the global infectious diseases of poverty

The Millennium Development Goals(MDGs)made a marked transformation for neglected and vulnerable communities in the developing countries from the start,but infectious diseases of poverty(IDoPs)continue to inflict a disproportionate global public health burden with associated consequences,thereby contributing to the vicious cycle of poverty and inequity.However,the effectiveness and large-scale coverage of artemisinin combination therapy(ACT)have revolutionized malaria treatment just as the control of lymphatic filariasis(LF)and onchocerciasis have benefitted from harnessing the broad-spectrum effect of avermectin-based derivatives.The paradigm shift in therapeutic approach,effected by these two drugs and their impact on community-based interventions of parasitic diseases plaguing the endemic low-and middle-income countries(LIMCs),led to the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2015.However,the story would not be complete without mentioning praziquantel.The huge contribution of this drug in modernizing the control of schistosomiasis and also some intestinal helminth infections had already shifted the focus from control to potential elimination of this disease.Together,these new drugs have provided humankind with powerful new tools for the alleviation of infectious diseases that humans have lived with since time immemorial.These drugs all have broad-spectrum effects,yet they are very safe and can even be packaged together in various combinations.The strong effect on so many of the great infectious scourges in the developing countries has not only had a remarkable influence on many endemic diseases,but also contributed to improving the cost structure of healthcare.Significant benefits include improved quality of preventive and curative medicine,promotion of community-based interventions,universal health coverage and the fostering of global partnerships.The laudable progress and benefits achieved are indispensable in championing,strengthening and moving forward elimination of the IDoPs.However,there is an urgent need for further innovative,contextual and integrated approaches along with the advent of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs),replacing the MDGs in ensuring global health security,well-being and economic prosperity for all.