Prevalence and Risk Factors of Entamoeba histolytica amongst Children Attending Primary Schools in Kyuso Zone, Kyuso District, Kitui County, Kenya
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Date
2016
Authors
Kavili, David M.
Simbauni, Jemimah A.
Gicheru, Michael M.
Mungiria, Juster N.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SCIENCEDOMAIN International
Abstract
The occurrence of Entamoeba histolytica as a human intestinal parasite is a serious problem
especially in developing countries. Entamoeba histolytica frequently infects as a commensal within
the human large intestine with no overt clinical manifestations. However, trophozoites can invade
the colonic epithelium and produce ulcers and dysentery, a condition known as Amoebiasis.
Amoebic infections in Kyuso Zone, Kyuso District are common. The ecological aspects in the area
and particularly water-related ones allow endemicity. There have been efforts to provide treatment
and control of amoebic infections but the prevalence of the disease in this area has never been
established. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of E. histolytica in school children
aged 6-12 years in Kyuso Zone and establish the relationship between the prevalence and risk
factors. A cross-sectional study design was used where 354 randomly selected pupils aged 6-12 years provided stool specimen which were taken to Kyuso District Hospital Laboratory for
examination. There was no significant association between prevalence and gender (χ²=0.9653,
df=1, P>0.05) and no significant association between prevalence and age (χ²=3.5649, df=2,
P>0.05). A significant association was found between the use of dry riverbed wells and high
prevalence (OR= 2.351, P=0.02) and the use of earth dam water and high prevalence (OR=2.828,
P=0.0000). A significant association was found between high prevalence and use of latrines
(χ²=4.7199, df=1, P=0.0298). In this study there was a clear indication that E. histolytica infections
are a problem in schools in Kyuso Zone. It is therefore recommended to the ministry of education
and the ministry of Public health that public health education programmes should be formulated and
carried out in schools and within the community so as to inform people of good sanitation and
hence reduce infections and morbidity. It is further suggested that school children be considered for
chemotherapy treatment to reduce morbidity.
Description
An Article Published in Journal of Applied Life Sciences International
Keywords
Amoebiasis, Asymptomatic, Diarrhoea;, Dysentery, Prevalence, Risk factors, Water source, Zone
Citation
Journal of Applied Life Sciences International 7(1): 1-12, 2016