Ascaris lumbricoides occurrence and risk factors among children (0-15 years) attending Bugembe HCIV, Jinja City

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides infection and identify the social, demographic, and environmental factors associated with the infection among children aged 0–15 years attending Bugembe Health Centre IV in Jinja City, Uganda. The findings revealed that 38% of the children tested positive for Ascaris lumbricoides, indicating a relatively high burden of infection in the area. This level of prevalence is comparable to similar studies done in Tanzania and Rwanda but higher than those found in other regions of Uganda. The results also showed that children under five years of age were more likely to be infected compared to older children. Male children had a higher infection rate than females, and children whose caregivers were male or had no formal education were significantly more affected. Environmental and behavioral factors such as not having access to a toilet, failure to wash hands with soap before meals, and after using the toilet were also strongly linked to the presence of infection. These findings suggest that both biological vulnerability and poor household sanitation contribute to the spread of Ascaris lumbricoides among children. The results support earlier research from other low-resource settings, which also identified lack of education, overcrowding, and poor hygiene as key risk factors. The study concludes that in order to reduce the prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides infection in this population, it is essential to improve access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and promote hygiene education. Regular deworming programs should also be strengthened, particularly targeting younger children and households with lower levels of education and poor sanitation. Without addressing these underlying issues, children in this community will remain at high risk of infection, which may affect their growth, development, and overall well-being.