Intestinal parasitic co-infections associated with Helicobacter pylori among paediatric patients with gastrointestinal illness attending a general hospital in southern Ethiopia.
BMC Pediatr
; 24(1): 545, 2024 Aug 23.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39180069
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Concurrent infections or co-infections caused by intestinal parasites and Helicobacter pylori are quite rampant in paediatrics living in endemic areas of sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, and if left untreated, can result in severe complications and hence must be addressed to ensure their health and well-being.OBJECTIVES:
To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic and H. pylori co-infections and associated factors among paediatric patients with gastrointestinal symptoms who attended the Arba Minch General Hospital (AMGH), Arba Minch, southern Ethiopia, from September to November 2020.METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among a study population of 299 paediatric patients with gastrointestinal symptoms who visited AMGH. Stool samples were collected and analysed to detect H. pylori and intestinal parasites. A rapid lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay was employed to identify the H. pylori copra antigen, whereas the latter was detected using wet mount saline preparation and formol-ether concentration method. Socio-demographic, clinical, behavioural and other factors were obtained by means of a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were done by Statistical Package for Social Service (SPSS) version 25; P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.RESULTS:
The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and intestinal parasites was 14% (n = 42) and 37.1% (n = 111), respectively, whereas that of the co-infections with these pathogens was 6.4% (n = 19). Giardia lamblia was the most prevailing parasite, 21.4% (n = 64). Informal maternal education [AOR = 5.14; 95% CI 1.98-15.70] and lack of hand washing practice were significantly associated with the extent of co-infections [AOR = 4.18; 95% CI 1.36-12.80].CONCLUSION:
Nearly one in twenty pediatric patients with gastrointestinal symptoms had intestinal parasitic infections and H. pylori co-infections, representing a silent health problem that is to be addressed through effective control strategies. Health administrators should consider the importance of co-infections in clinical diagnosis and planning aimed at its prevention.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Helicobacter pylori
/
Infecciones por Helicobacter
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Coinfección
/
Parasitosis Intestinales
Límite:
Adolescent
/
Child
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Child, preschool
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Female
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Humans
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Infant
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Male
País/Región como asunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMC Pediatr
Asunto de la revista:
PEDIATRIA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Etiopia