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Soil-transmitted helminths and haemoglobin status among Afghan children in World Food Programme assisted schools

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2024

A.F. Gabrielli ,
M. Ramsan ,
C. Naumann ,
D. Tsogzolmaa ,
B. Bojang ,
M.H. Khoshal ,
M. Connolly ,
J.R. Stothard ,
A. Montresor  and
L. Savioli
A.F. Gabrielli*
Affiliation:
Programme for Communicable Diseases in Complex Emergencies, World Health Organization (WHO), 1211 Geneva, Switzerland:
M. Ramsan
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory ‘Ivo de Carneri’, Pemba Island, Zanzibar, Tanzania:
C. Naumann
Affiliation:
World Food Programme Country Office, Kabul, Afghanistan:
D. Tsogzolmaa
Affiliation:
Office of the WHO Representative, Kabul, Afghanistan:
B. Bojang
Affiliation:
World Food Programme Country Office, Kabul, Afghanistan:
M.H. Khoshal
Affiliation:
Ministry of Health, Kabul, Afghanistan:
M. Connolly
Affiliation:
Programme for Communicable Diseases in Complex Emergencies, World Health Organization (WHO), 1211 Geneva, Switzerland:
J.R. Stothard
Affiliation:
The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK:
A. Montresor
Affiliation:
Strategy Development and Monitoring for Parasitic Diseases and Vector Control, WHO, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
L. Savioli
Affiliation:
Strategy Development and Monitoring for Parasitic Diseases and Vector Control, WHO, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
*
*Present address: Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Imperial College, London, W2 1PG, UK Fax: 020 7262 8140 E-mail:a.gabrielli@imperial.ac.uk
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Abstract

In recent years there have been major socio-economic changes within Afghanistan such that the present public health burden of soil-transmitted helminths (STH), especially that within school-aged children, remains to be determined. A baseline parasitological survey was therefore carried out in four defined areas of Afghanistan to better assess the distribution, prevalence and intensity of STH infections prior to a nationwide de-worming campaign beginning within World Food Programme assisted schools. A cross-sectional examination of 1001 children aged between 8 and 15 years old revealed that approximately half (47.2%) were infected with at least one STH. Infections with Ascaris lumbricoides were most widespread (40.9%) and elevated prevalences were detected in urban environments; for example, schoolchildren in Kabul were more likely to be infected (OR=2.2, 95% CI 1.6–3.0) than elsewhere and these infections were often of higher intensity (OR=7.6, 95% CI 4.9–11.8). Trichuris trichiura (9.9%) and hookworms (0.7%), previously unknown from Afghanistan, were encountered. The blood haemoglobin concentration of surveyed children was also assessed: 4% resulted to be anaemic (Hb<11 g dl−1), and 0.4% to be severely anaemic (Hb<7 g dl−1).

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 79 , Issue 4 , December 2005 , pp. 381 - 384
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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