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Community-level epidemiology of intestinal helminth infections and anemia in Harbu Town, northeastern Ethiopia

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Abstract

Anemia and intestinal helminth infections are overlapping health problems in developing countries. This study examined the determinants of intestinal helminth infection and anemia in a human population in Harbu Town, northeastern Ethiopia. A total of 484 individuals provided stool and blood samples as well as information about their sociodemographic characteristics and living practices in a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted between May and June, 2013. Stool specimens were examined for intestinal helminth infections using the Kato–Katz method. While a HemoCue machine was used to measure blood hemoglobin levels, a CareStartTM malaria Pf/Pv combo test was used to test the blood specimens for Plasmodium infection. Out of 484 individuals examined, 15.5% were anemic and 32.0% were infected with intestinal helminths. Plasmodium infection was not detected in any of the study participants. Schistosoma mansoni infection was most common (26.7%) followed by Hymenolepis nana (4.1%). The prevalence of S. mansoni and H. nana infection was greater among school-age children than in pre-school-age children and adults. The prevalence of helminth infection decreased with an increase in monthly income (P = 0.048) and varied among different occupations (P = 0.023). The odds of anemia increased with an increase in the age of individuals (adjusted odds ratio = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.06). Hookworm infection was associated with anemia (P = 0.029). In conclusion, intestinal helminth infections and anemia were public health problems among the community of Harbu Town. Increasing age and hookworm infection may increase susceptibility to anemia. Controlling helminth infection may help to reduce the burden of anemia in Harbu Town, Ethiopia.

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Acknowledgments

We appreciate the support from health officers in Harbu Health Center during data collection. We would also like to acknowledge the study participants for their cooperation and provision of the necessary information during the study.

Funding

This study was financially supported by funds obtained from Wollo University and Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Wollo University, P.O. Box 1145, Dessie, Ethiopia

    Elifaged Hailemeskel

  2. Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Berhanu Erko

  3. Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-4395, USA

    Abraham Degarege

Authors
  1. Elifaged Hailemeskel
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  2. Berhanu Erko
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  3. Abraham Degarege
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Correspondence to Abraham Degarege.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethics approval

The study was conducted after the protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the Biology Department, Wollo University. Permission to conduct the study was also obtained from the town administration and the district health office before data collection. In addition, written informed consent was obtained from voluntary participants and parents or guardians for children younger than 18 years during data collection. Study participants who were positive for intestinal helminths were treated with appropriate anti-helminthic drugs free of charge.

Disclaimer

The funding organization had no role in designing this study nor in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; nor in the decision to submit the article for publication.

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Section Editor: David Bruce Conn

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Hailemeskel, E., Erko, B. & Degarege, A. Community-level epidemiology of intestinal helminth infections and anemia in Harbu Town, northeastern Ethiopia. Parasitol Res 119, 3451–3457 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-020-06864-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-020-06864-4

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