Prevalence and risk factors associated with intestinal helminths infestation among children attending Masaka Regional Referral Hospital post covid-19 lockdown in Uganda

Abstract

Intestinal helminth infestations are serious tropical diseases that are often underestimated mostly in developing countries Uganda inclusive. Several factors affect the prevalence of helminth infestation and severity of the associated disease in school children. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors associated with Intestinal helminths Infestation among children attending Masaka Regional Referral Hospital post Covid19 lockdown in Uganda. A cross sectional study design utilised quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and a total of 300 children aged ten years and below were enrolled in the study. Microscopy, wet preparation and Formal ether concentration method was used to examine the fecal sample collected from the study participants. A structured questionnaire was also used to collect variables for risk factors associated to the infestation. Bivariate analysis was used to test association between different independent and dependent factors. Multivariate analysis was done using binary logistic regression to control for confounders and effect modification. The overall prevalence of the infestation was found to be at 6.7%, with Hookworms being the most prevalent at 5.3% followed by S. stercolaris at 1.3% and no detection of both A. lumbricoides and T. trichuria infestations. Both males and females had almost equal chances of getting infected with an OR=0.972 (p value=1.000, 95% CI=0.392-2.408). Children aged 1-5 years were more likely to get infected compared to participants aged above 5 years with an OR=1.208 (p value=0.760, 95% CI=0.387-3.774). There was a statistically significant association between factors; Knowledge about IHI (p value<0.001, OR=0.177, 95% CI=0.066-0.478). Deworming (p value<0.001, OR=0.177, 95% CI=0.066-0.478), Source of water (p value=0.000) and Health Education program (p value=0.026, OR=0.326, 95% CI=0.129-0.826). The Prevalence of the infestation found in this study was low in contrast to many other similar studies. To further control the incidence of these infestations to almost negligible levels, more efforts in mass deworming, screening, treatment and education of communities are still required.