Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Burden Among School Children in Misrata, Libya: A Cross-Sectional Study

المؤلفون

  • Abdulbasit Saleh Mukhtar Faculty of Medical Technology, Azzaytuna University, Libya
  • Faraj Khamees Saqar Faculty of Medical Technology, Azzaytuna University, Libya

الكلمات المفتاحية:

Libya، School Children، Neglected Tropical Diseases، Anemia، Soil-Transmitted Helminths، Schistosomiasis

الملخص

Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases pose significant public health challenges, particularly affecting pediatric populations in endemic regions. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium and intestinal helminth infections among school-aged children in Misrata, Libya. A total of 200 children aged 5-15 years were enrolled from local schools. Urine and stool samples were collected and examined for Schistosoma haematobium and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), respectively. Packed cell volume (PCV) measurements were taken to assess anemia status. The overall prevalence of S. haematobium infection was 16.2%, with the highest rate observed in the 6–10-year age group. Intestinal helminth infections were also prevalent, with Strongyloides stercoralis, Schistosoma mansoni, and Trichuris trichiura being the most common (12.5% each) among children ≤5 years old. Ascaris lumbricoides infection was detected in 2.9% of the 6–10-year-olds. Negative correlations were found between PCV values and the prevalence of S. haematobium (r=-0.582, p<0.001), S. mansoni (r=-0.328, p<0.001), T. trichiura (r=-0.427, p<0.001), A. lumbricoides (r=-0.223, p=0.001), and S. stercoralis (r=-0.231, p=0.001). The findings highlight the significant burden of schistosomiasis and STH infections among school-aged children in Misrata, Libya, and the potential impact on anemia status. Targeted control strategies and continuous monitoring are warranted to mitigate the adverse effects of these neglected tropical diseases.

Dimensions

منشور

2024-09-24

كيفية الاقتباس

Abdulbasit Saleh Mukhtar, & Faraj Khamees Saqar. (2024). Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Burden Among School Children in Misrata, Libya: A Cross-Sectional Study. مجلة شمال إفريقيا للنشر العلمي (NAJSP), 2(3), 311–322. استرجع في من https://najsp.com/index.php/home/article/view/263

إصدار

القسم

محور العلوم التطبيقية والطبيعية