[Intestinal parasitosis and environmental pollution: 1343 pediatric cases in Beni-Mellal, Morocco]

This study was undertaken to determine the possible health risk associated with raw wastewater use in agricultural purposes, particularly, the transmission of parasite infections among children of five regions in Beni-Mellal, Morocco. In a randomly-selected sample of 1343 children, 740 of them were from five regions using raw wastewater for agriculture, and 603 were from 4 control regions that do not practice wastewater irrigation. One or more parasite infections were identified in 50.8% of the children living in the wastewater re-use regions and in 8.2% only of the others. The seven parasites identified were Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, Hymenolepis nana, Taenia saginata, which infected 34.3%, 5.1%, 20.5%, 0.4%, 5.2%, 7.2%, 0.5% in the exposed population and 4.3%, 0.3%, 3.8%, 0.3%, 1.0%, 0.6% and 0.0% in the control population respectively. In conclusion, raw wastewater use in Beni-Mellal lead to a high risk of parasite infections. Adequate treatment of wastewater is highly recommended.

Geohelminthic infections associated with raw wastewater reuse for agricultural purposes in Beni-Mellal, Morocco

This study was undertaken to determine the possible risk associated with raw wastewater use for agricultural purposes, particularly, the transmission of geohelminthic infections among children of five regions in Beni-Mellal, Morocco. In a randomly selected sample of 1343 children, 740 of them were from five communities using raw wastewater for agriculture, and 603 were from four control communities that do not practice wastewater irrigation. A questionnaire-interview with children and parents was used to collect data on possible demographic, hygiene and behavioral-contact risk factors such as sex, age, family size, parental education, parental occupation, source of water, toilet in house, hand-washing, contact with wastewater and contact with wastewater irrigated land. Ascariasis prevalence was found to be approximately five times higher among children in wastewater-impacted regions compared to control regions. Contact with wastewater and wastewater irrigated land and public water supply were found to be associated with higher infection rates. Trichuris rates did not show a statistically significant difference between the wastewater-impacted and the control regions. In conclusion, raw wastewater use in Beni-Mellal can lead to a high risk of geohelminthic infections. Adequate treatment of wastewater and public health education are highly recommended.

Helminthic infections associated with the use of raw wastewater for agricultural purposes in Beni Mellal, Morocco

We aimed to determine the possible risks associated with raw wastewater use for agricultural purposes, particularly the transmission of helminthic infections among children. In a randomly-selected sample of 1343 children, 740 of them were from five regions using raw wastewater for agriculture, while 603 were from four control regions that do not use such water. The prevalence of helminthic infection was found to be significantly higher among children in regions using wastewater, compared to control regions. Behavioural characteristics and public water supply were found to be associated with higher infection rates. Adequate treatment of wastewater as well as public health education are highly recommended

Helminthic infections associated with the use of raw wastewater for agricultural purposes in Beni Mellal, Morocco

We aimed to determine the possible risks associated with raw wastewater use for agricultural purposes, particularly the transmission of helminthic infections among children. In a randomly-selected sample of 1343 children, 740 of them were from five regions using raw wastewater for agriculture, while 603 were from four control regions that do not use such water. The prevalence of helminthic infection was found to be significantly higher among children in regions using wastewater, compared to control regions. Behavioural characteristics and public water supply were found to be associated with higher infection rates. Adequate treatment of wastewater as well as public health education are highly recommended.

Raw wastewater agricultural re-use and risk of protozoal infection in Beni-Mellal, Morocco

This study was carried out to determine the potential risk of protozoal infection associated with raw wastewater use for agricultural purposes, among children of Beni-Mellal, Morocco. In a randomly-selected sample of 1343 children 740 from 5 regions which use raw wastewater for agriculture (exposed), while 603 were from 4 control regions that do not practice wastewater irrigation (unexposed). A questionnaire-interview with children and parents was used to collect data on demographic, hygienic, and risky water contact risk factors One or more protozoal infection was identified among 276(37.2%) of children living in the wastewater re-use regions, versus only among 22 (3.6%) living in control regions. The overall prevalence of 40.1% was observed among boys, and 33.3% among girls residing in exposed areas. The two identified protozoa were Entaemoeba histolytica and Giardia intestinalis, which infected 34.3% and 5.1% in the exposed population compared to only 3.3% and 0.3% in the control population, respectively. We also noted that the G. intestinalis prevalence was more than 40% among the children under 9 years, but less than 17% for those who were more than 12 years. Also, a significant excess of protozoal infection was observed among children who had risky contact with agricultural lands (p<0.001). In conclusion, raw wastewater use in Beni-Mellal can lead to a high risk of protozoal infections. Adequate treatment of wastewater prior to re-use, as well as public health education are highly recommended.