Mohammed Tigist, Degarege Abraham, Aemero Mulugeta, Animut Abebe, Negash Yohannes, Gebrehiwot Yirgalem, Erko Berhanu
Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Catholic University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Parasite Epidemiol Control. 2025 Jul 1;30:e00448. doi: 10.1016/j.parepi.2025.e00448. eCollection 2025 Aug.
can infect and cause morbidity in pre-school age children (PSAC) and due to its gradual nature, often goes unnoticed in its early stages and can result in long-term irreversible consequences during their most productive years. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, intensity, and associated risk factors of infection among PSAC in Gambella, Ethiopia.
A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to August 2024 among 390 PSAC in four localities in Gambella, Ethiopia. Urine specimens were examined microscopically and with urinalysis reagent strips. Data on associated factors and socio-demographic characteristics were collected from the PSAC mothers/caregivers using a structured questionnaire.
The overall prevalence of infection was 16.7 %, of which 20 % (13/65) had heavy-intensity of infection. The prevalence of macro and microhematuria were 7.9 %, and 26.2 %, respectively. The prevalence of infection was significantly higher among PSAC who visited open water sources (90.8 %, < 0.001), bathed in open water (89.2 %, = 0.004), and urinated in open water (89.2 %, = 0.004), as well as among residents of Abaro and Tagni villages (72.3 %, < 0.001) and who had mothers with no formal education (81.5 %, = 0.006). The odds of infection were higher among children who played or bathed in infested water (AOR: 2.9, CI: 1.0-8.1) and those living in Abaro village (AOR: 4.3, CI: 1.6-11.9) compared to those who did not engage in these behaviors or lived in other villages, respectively.
The study showed that infection is prevalent among PSAC in Gambella region in Ethiopia, and contact with an open water while playing, bathing or urinating may increase the risk of acquiring infection with the parasite in this population group. These findings will contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiology of the disease among PSAC.
[寄生虫名称]可感染学龄前儿童（PSAC）并导致发病，由于其渐进性，在早期阶段常未被注意到，并可能在他们最具生产力的年龄段导致长期不可逆转的后果。本研究旨在确定埃塞俄比亚甘贝拉地区学龄前儿童中[寄生虫名称]感染的患病率、感染强度及相关危险因素。
2024年7月至8月在埃塞俄比亚甘贝拉四个地区的390名学龄前儿童中进行了一项横断面研究。对尿液标本进行显微镜检查和尿液分析试纸检测。使用结构化问卷从学龄前儿童的母亲/照顾者那里收集有关相关因素和社会人口学特征的数据。
[寄生虫名称]感染的总体患病率为16.7%，其中20%（13/65）感染强度高。肉眼血尿和镜下血尿的患病率分别为7.9%和26.2%。在去过开放水源的学龄前儿童中（90.8%，P<0.001）、在开放水域洗澡的儿童中（89.2%，P = 0.004）、在开放水域小便的儿童中（89.2%，P = 0.004），以及在阿巴罗和塔尼村的居民中（72.3%，P<0.001）和母亲没有接受过正规教育的儿童中（81.5%，P = 0.006），[寄生虫名称]感染的患病率显著更高。与未在受感染水中玩耍或洗澡的儿童以及未居住在其他村庄的儿童相比，在受感染水中玩耍或洗澡的儿童（调整后的比值比：2.9，置信区间：1.0 - 8.1）和居住在阿巴罗村的儿童（调整后的比值比：4.3，置信区间：1.6 - 11.9）感染[寄生虫名称]的几率更高。
该研究表明，在埃塞俄比亚甘贝拉地区的学龄前儿童中[寄生虫名称]感染很普遍，在玩耍、洗澡或小便时接触开放水域可能会增加该人群感染该寄生虫的风险。这些发现将有助于更好地了解学龄前儿童中该疾病的流行病学情况。
