Drinking water is a significant predictor of Blastocystis infection among rural Malaysian primary schoolchildren

Abdulsalam, Awatif Mohamed and Ithoi, Init and Al-Mekhlafi, Hesham Mahyoub and Ahmed, Abdulhamid and Surin, Johari and Mak, Joon Wah (2012) Drinking water is a significant predictor of Blastocystis infection among rural Malaysian primary schoolchildren. Parasitology, 139 (8). pp. 1014-1020. ISSN 0031-1820, DOI https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182012000340.

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Abstract

Blastocystis infection has a worldwide distribution especially among the disadvantaged population and immunocompromised subjects. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and the association of Blastocystis infection with the socio-economic characteristics among 300 primary schoolchildren, living in rural communities in Lipis and Raub districts of Pahang state, Malaysia. Stool samples were collected and examined for the presence of Blastocystis using direct smear microscopy after in vitro cultivation in Jones' medium. The overall prevalence of Blastocystis infection was found to be as high as 25·7%. The prevalence was significantly higher among children with gastrointestinal symptoms as compared to asymptomatic children (x2=4·246; P=0·039). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that absence of a piped water supply (OR=3·13; 95% CI=1·78, 5·46; P<0·001) and low levels of mothers’ education (OR=3·41; 95% CI=1·62, 7·18; P<0·01) were the significant predictors of Blastocystis infection. In conclusion, Blastocystis is prevalent among rural children and the important factors that determine the infection were the sources of drinking water and mothers' educational level. Interventions with provision of clean water supply and health education especially to mothers are required.

Item Type:	Article
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Additional Information:	Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Blastocystis; predictors; drinking water; schoolchildren; Malaysia
Subjects:	R Medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine
Depositing User:	jsurin johari surin
Date Deposited:	19 Jun 2012 04:31
Last Modified:	03 Dec 2019 08:38
URI:	http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/3341

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