Intestinal helminths in Luweero district, Uganda.

Abstract

Background: Intestinal helminthiasis is a debilitating parasitic disease found in many parts of Uganda including Luweero district. In the district, the disease causes as high as 9% morbidity in children below five years. There was very scanty district information on the disease based mainly on hospital records despite this figure. The current study was carried out to provide data to plan for its effective control. Objective: To investigate risk factors that promote helminth infections among children under five years of age in Luweero district. Methods: Stool samples from 727 children were examined for presence of helminth ova using Kato-Katz technique. The subjects' parents or guardians were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire to establish their demographic, social-cultural characteristics; information on water accessibility and usage; child toileting practices and knowledge about helminthiasis. Results: Risk factors strongly associated with helminth infections included methods of anal cleaning, how compounds and latrines were maintained, keeping of pigs and age of the subjects, (P African Health Science Vol. 8 (2) 2008: pp. 90-96