Risk factors for soil-transmitted helminth infections during the first 3 years of life in the tropics; findings from a birth cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) infect more than 2 billion humans worldwide, causing significant morbidity in children. There are few data on the epidemiology and risk factors for infection in pre-school children. To investigate risk factors for infection in early childhood, we analysed data prospectively collected in the ECUAVIDA birth cohort in Ecuador.

Methods and findings

Children were recruited at birth and followed up to 3 years of age with periodic collection of stool samples that were examined microscopically for STH parasites. Data on social, demographic, and environmental risk factors were collected from the mother at time of enrollment. Associations between exposures and detection of STH infections were analysed by multivariable logistic regression. Da

SUBMITTER: Menzies SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3937274 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature