A multi-pathogen behavioral exposure model for young children playing in public spaces in developing communities.

ABSTRACT: Diarrheal disease is the second leading cause of death among children under five in developing communities, despite active interventions to improve access to water, sanitation, and hygiene resources. Even interventions with high fidelity and compliance saw minimal improvements in health outcomes, necessitating a need for looking beyond traditionally targeted exposure pathways. This study focuses on the pathogen exposure a young child may receive while playing in the public spaces of informal settlements, where animal feces, human feces, and garbage are frequently observed. The study utilized 79 soil samples previously collected across ten cluster sites in Corail, Haiti and processed using DelAgua cultural assays and quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction methods. Molecular assays screened

SUBMITTER: Houser SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11554075 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature