Hanapi, Izzah Ruzana Mohd and Behnke, Jerzy M. and Sahimin, Norhidayu and Saifulazmi, Nur Fadlin and Khan, Ashah Sara Jehan Golam Mohammad and Mutalib, Raisya Nur Syazmeen Abdul and Lau, Yee Ling and Mohd Zain, Siti Nursheena (2024) Intestinal parasitic infections and risk analysis among urban refugees in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 118 (1). 18 – 32. ISSN 0035-9203, DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/trad047.
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
Background: Global studies show intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) have been introduced and spread with refugee inflows from low to high socio-economic countries. However, there is relatively limited information on the prevalence of infections among the community. Methods: A 2-year cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for infections among urban refugees in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. A total of 418 faecal samples were collected and examined by microscopy. Results: Faecal screening revealed moderate levels (32.3) of infections in the community. Three nematode (Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm) and three protozoan species (Entamoeba, Giardia and Cryptosporidium) were recorded, with the highest prevalence being A. lumbricoides (20.6) followed by T. trichiura (10.3), while other infections were <5. Statistical analysis found that young males with less education were more likely to be infected with helminths. Additionally, living near waste disposal sites, the presence of stray animals, eating with bare hands, bare footedness, poor handwashing practices and no anthelmintic treatment constituted significant risk factors for helminth infections. Protozoan infections were linked to drinking tap water or from water dispensers and poor handwashing practices. Conclusions: These findings emphasize the importance of health education in addition to introduction of biannual anthelmintic treatment to promote community health and well-being. © The Author(s) 2023.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Funders: | Universiti Malaya [Granting no. IIRG002A-2020SAH], Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Intestinal parasitic infections; Malaysia; Prevalence; Refugees; Risk analysis |
| Subjects: | Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology R Medicine |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Science > Institute of Biological Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim |
| Date Deposited: | 29 Apr 2024 02:03 |
| Last Modified: | 29 Apr 2024 02:03 |
| URI: | http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/44960 |
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