Impact of Environmental Conditions on the Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infection in Two Low Socioeconomic Areas in Alexandria, Egypt | ||
| Journal of High Institute of Public Health | ||
| Article 10, Volume 32, Issue 1, January 2002, Pages 157-170 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/jhiph.2002.219741 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Abdel Ghany M. El Masry1; Amel A. El-Sahn1; Mamdouh H. Mahmoud2; Safaa M. Eissa1 | ||
| 1Department of Tropical Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt | ||
| 2Department of Environmental Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Identification of appropriate strategies for controlling gastrointestinal parasitic infections in communities depend, in part, on an understanding of the conditions that increase risk of exposure to infective stages. The present study was conducted to assess the environmental and living conditions in two low socioeconomic areas in Alexandria [El-Madabegh and El- Tobgeya] and their impact on intestinal parasitic infections. Data was collected by completing questionnaires through house-to-house survey. Formol-ether technique on formalin preserved stools was used to identify helminthic ova, larvae and protozoan cysts in samples taken from children 2-5 years old from both areas and from other ages in El-Madabegh. Soil samples were examined by zinc sulphate floatation technique. In both areas presence of sewage overflow and garbage heaps were observed in the streets surrounding the houses and blocks. Differences were present in source of water supply, water storage, methods of solid waste, and wastewater disposal better in El-Tobgeya than El-Madabegh. Parasites were detected in stools of children 2 to 5 years old from both areas but higher in El-Madabegh [66.7% vs. 43.8%, Z-test=1.86 p>0.05]. Infection with Ascaris lumbricoides was significantly higher in children from El-Madabegh [38.9%] compared to El-Tobgeya [5.6%] Z=2.73, p < 0.05] while Giardia lamblia was more among El-Tobgeya's children. Examination of soil samples from both areas revealed the presence of Ascaris ova and predominance of Toxocara's. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Environmental Conditions; Prevalence; Intestinal Parasitic Infection; Low Socioeconomic Areas; Alexandria; Egypt | ||
|
Statistics Article View: 94 |
||
