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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2012

AWATIF M. ABDULSALAM ,
INIT ITHOI ,
HESHAM M. AL-MEKHLAFI ,
ABDULHAMID AHMED ,
JOHARI SURIN  and
JOON-WAH MAK
AWATIF M. ABDULSALAM
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
INIT ITHOI*
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
HESHAM M. AL-MEKHLAFI
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen
ABDULHAMID AHMED
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
JOHARI SURIN
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
JOON-WAH MAK
Affiliation:
School of Postgraduate Studies and Research, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
*
*Corresponding author: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: +6 03 79674767. Fax: +6 03 79674754. E-mail: init@um.edu.my, init.ithoi@gmail.com
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Summary

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.

Keywords

Blastocystispredictorsdrinking waterschoolchildrenMalaysia
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 139 , Issue 8 , July 2012 , pp. 1014 - 1020
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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