Mohd Hanapi, Izzah Ruzana and Sahimin, Norhidayu and Maackara, Michael John Banuru and Annisa, Aufa Shofia and Abdul Mutalib, Raisya Nur Syazmeen and Lewis, John W. and Behnke, Jerzy M. and Lau, Yee Ling and Mohd Zain, Siti Nursheena (2021) Prevalence of anti-Leptospira antibodies and associated risk factors in the Malaysian refugee communities. BMC Infectious Diseases, 21 (1). ISSN 1471-2334, DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06830-0.
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
Background Refugees in Malaysia, who are afflicted by poverty, conflict and poor health, are vulnerable to a range of zoonotic infections in the deprived environmental and social conditions under which they live. Exposure to infections such as leptospirosis, for which rodents are primary hosts, is of particular concern. Methods A wellness program was conducted to determine the presence of antibodies against Leptospira (seroprevalence) in 11 refugee community schools and centers in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. A total of 433 samples were assessed for IgG and IgM antibodies against Leptospira, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Results Overall Leptospira seroprevalence was 24.7%, with 3.0% being seropositive for anti-Leptospira IgG and 21.7% for anti-Leptospira IgM. Factors significantly associated with overall Leptospira seroprevalence included: age, ethnicity, pet ownership, knowledge of disease and awareness of disease fatality. For IgM seroprevalence, significant risk factors included sex, ethnicity, eating habits with hands, pet ownership, the presence of rats, walking in bare feet and water recreation visits. Conclusions These findings highlight the need for improvements in health and well-being among the refugee community through disease awareness programs and provision of healthy behavior programs, particularly in hygiene and sanitation through community engagement activities.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Funders: | Universiti Malaya (GPF012B-2018), Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (IF004-2021), UMCoE top 100 Research Grant (UM.00000188/HGA.GV), Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE) Program (MO002-2019), Impact Oriented Interdisciplinary Research Grant (IIRG) (IIRG002A-2020SAH) |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Prevalence; Leptospirosis; Refugee; IgG; IgM; Malaysia |
| Subjects: | Q Science > Q Science (General) |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Medicine > Parasitology Deparment Faculty of Science > Institute of Biological Sciences Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation) Office > Tropical Infectious Diseases Research and Education Centre |
| Depositing User: | Ms Zaharah Ramly |
| Date Deposited: | 08 Sep 2022 03:20 |
| Last Modified: | 08 Sep 2022 03:20 |
| URI: | http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/34217 |
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