Ascaris lumbricoides: prevalence and associated factors among pre-school children in Rukiga district, Uganda: a cross-sectional study
Abstract Background Ascaris lumbricoides infestation remains a public health problem worldwide. It mainly affects children resulting into undernutrition, impaired growth and physical development, intestinal obstruction and death. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with Ascar...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-03-01
|
| Series: | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10697-w |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849761721026084864 |
|---|---|
| author | Martine Kasiita Stephen Businge Agnes Napyo James K. Tumwine |
| author_facet | Martine Kasiita Stephen Businge Agnes Napyo James K. Tumwine |
| author_sort | Martine Kasiita |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Ascaris lumbricoides infestation remains a public health problem worldwide. It mainly affects children resulting into undernutrition, impaired growth and physical development, intestinal obstruction and death. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with Ascaris lumbricoides infestation among children aged 6–59 months in Rukiga district, Uganda. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 739 children aged 6–59 months and their caregivers between September and October 2023. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics of the caregivers. We examined children’s stool for Ascaris lumbricoides ova using the Kato-Katz method. We estimated adjusted odds ratios using multivariable logistic regression to determine the factors associated with Ascaris lumbricoides infestation. Results The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides infestation was 2.7% (n = 20/739), (95% CI. 1.7–4.1). Factors associated with Ascaris lumbricoides infestation were: Child-related characteristics including: the child having not been dewormed 6 months prior to the study (AOR 2.04, 95% CI: 1.04–4). Household characteristics including: disposal of child’s stool in the compound/ garden (AOR 12.53, 95% CI: 3.44–45.64), if there are more than two children under 5 years living in the household (AOR 0.24, 95% CI: 0.11–0.52). Care-giver characteristics including the primary caregiver being: the father (AOR 6.09, 95% CI: 1.21–30.61), a Christian (AOR 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01–0.17). Conclusion and recommendations Ascaris lumbricoides infestation was 2.7% among preschool children. We recommend the inclusion of male partners in health interventions targeting children under the age of five years especially the immunization programs. Community health programs should consider targeted messages in health education campaigns especially the handling and disposal of feces and the importance of deworming children. The association between religion and Ascaris lumbricoides infestation needs further studies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d3f3111bb23647bbb4b0b4a8fa186e90 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1471-2334 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Infectious Diseases |
| spelling | doaj-art-d3f3111bb23647bbb4b0b4a8fa186e902025-08-20T03:05:56ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342025-03-012511710.1186/s12879-025-10697-wAscaris lumbricoides: prevalence and associated factors among pre-school children in Rukiga district, Uganda: a cross-sectional studyMartine Kasiita0Stephen Businge1Agnes Napyo2James K. Tumwine3Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kabale University School of MedicineDepartment of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kabale Regional Referral HospitalDepartment of Nursing Sciences, Kabale University School of MedicineDepartment of Pediatrics and Child Health, Kabale University School of MedicineAbstract Background Ascaris lumbricoides infestation remains a public health problem worldwide. It mainly affects children resulting into undernutrition, impaired growth and physical development, intestinal obstruction and death. We aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with Ascaris lumbricoides infestation among children aged 6–59 months in Rukiga district, Uganda. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 739 children aged 6–59 months and their caregivers between September and October 2023. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics of the caregivers. We examined children’s stool for Ascaris lumbricoides ova using the Kato-Katz method. We estimated adjusted odds ratios using multivariable logistic regression to determine the factors associated with Ascaris lumbricoides infestation. Results The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides infestation was 2.7% (n = 20/739), (95% CI. 1.7–4.1). Factors associated with Ascaris lumbricoides infestation were: Child-related characteristics including: the child having not been dewormed 6 months prior to the study (AOR 2.04, 95% CI: 1.04–4). Household characteristics including: disposal of child’s stool in the compound/ garden (AOR 12.53, 95% CI: 3.44–45.64), if there are more than two children under 5 years living in the household (AOR 0.24, 95% CI: 0.11–0.52). Care-giver characteristics including the primary caregiver being: the father (AOR 6.09, 95% CI: 1.21–30.61), a Christian (AOR 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01–0.17). Conclusion and recommendations Ascaris lumbricoides infestation was 2.7% among preschool children. We recommend the inclusion of male partners in health interventions targeting children under the age of five years especially the immunization programs. Community health programs should consider targeted messages in health education campaigns especially the handling and disposal of feces and the importance of deworming children. The association between religion and Ascaris lumbricoides infestation needs further studies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10697-wAscaris lumbricoidesPreschool childrenUganda |
| spellingShingle | Martine Kasiita Stephen Businge Agnes Napyo James K. Tumwine Ascaris lumbricoides: prevalence and associated factors among pre-school children in Rukiga district, Uganda: a cross-sectional study BMC Infectious Diseases Ascaris lumbricoides Preschool children Uganda |
| title | Ascaris lumbricoides: prevalence and associated factors among pre-school children in Rukiga district, Uganda: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Ascaris lumbricoides: prevalence and associated factors among pre-school children in Rukiga district, Uganda: a cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Ascaris lumbricoides: prevalence and associated factors among pre-school children in Rukiga district, Uganda: a cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ascaris lumbricoides: prevalence and associated factors among pre-school children in Rukiga district, Uganda: a cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Ascaris lumbricoides: prevalence and associated factors among pre-school children in Rukiga district, Uganda: a cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | ascaris lumbricoides prevalence and associated factors among pre school children in rukiga district uganda a cross sectional study |
| topic | Ascaris lumbricoides Preschool children Uganda |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-10697-w |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT martinekasiita ascarislumbricoidesprevalenceandassociatedfactorsamongpreschoolchildreninrukigadistrictugandaacrosssectionalstudy AT stephenbusinge ascarislumbricoidesprevalenceandassociatedfactorsamongpreschoolchildreninrukigadistrictugandaacrosssectionalstudy AT agnesnapyo ascarislumbricoidesprevalenceandassociatedfactorsamongpreschoolchildreninrukigadistrictugandaacrosssectionalstudy AT jamesktumwine ascarislumbricoidesprevalenceandassociatedfactorsamongpreschoolchildreninrukigadistrictugandaacrosssectionalstudy |