Mohd Hanapi, Izzah Ruzana and Behnke, Jerzy M. and Sahimin, Norhidayu and Saifulazmi, Nur Fadlin and Khan, Ashah Sara Jehan Golam Mohammad and Abdul Mutalib, Raisya Nur Syazmeen 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). pp. 18-32. ISSN 00359203, 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.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Funders: | Universiti Malaya [Grant 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 > QR Microbiology > QR180 Immunology Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR355 Virology R Medicine > R Medicine (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. Juhaida Abd Rahim |
| Date Deposited: | 22 Aug 2024 04:02 |
| Last Modified: | 22 Aug 2024 04:02 |
| URI: | http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/46031 |
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