An overview of food and water-based parasites in Kenya has emphasized gaps in surveillance, which means that there are limited data to help inquire interventions in the field of public health.
In Kenya, the prevalence of intestinal infections is high because of the warm tropical climate and socio -economic factors.
A scoping review evaluated the national prevalence, risk factors and sources of contamination of intestine Protozoa. A total of 67 studies were recorded from 1966 to 2024. The search was aimed at keywords with regard to enteric protozoa, including cryptosporidium, giardia, informal settlements, food handlers and vulnerable groups. Findings were published in the magazine China CDC weekly.
Protozoa, mainly transferred via the faecal route, are spread by asymptomatic carriers and cause symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The focus was on pathogens in the water of Kenya intended for domestic consumption. Water treatment is mainly dependent on chloring, which is not effective against a lot of protozoa.
The review showed that most studies used relief microscopy, a method with limited sensitivity and largely focused on vulnerable human populations, with minimal research into environmental reservoirs.
The sampling duration was often not specified. However, 20 percent of the studies were carried out for less than six months, while 24 percent were completed within six to 12 months
Risk factors for three parasites
The most important Protozoa included Entamoeba Histolytica, Cryptosporidium and Giardia, with transmission driven by poor water, sanitary facilities and hygiene (Wash), environmental factors, environmental factors and close contact with humans. The incidence of most Protozoa, including Entamoeba Histolytics, Cryptosporidium and Giardia, showed an increasing trend over time, which a peak between 2010 and 2020, but this is also the period in which more studies were carried out.
Entamoeba Histolytica is a considerable problem for public health, isolated from different sources, including food processors.
Cryptosporidium is the second most common parasite. Cryptosporidium Hominis was the most common in human infections, while cryptosporidium parvum was more common in environmental and animal samples. The presence of cattle and untreated/polluted water sources were identified as risk factors, but some studies suggested transmission due to overcrowding and poor washing conditions.
Studies have identified unsanitary conditions, incorrect waste water removal and low socio -economic status as significant risk factors for Giardia infections. There is limited information about the prevalence of Giardia in domestic animals and its national distribution in Kenya.
According to the study, increasing human damage to the habitats of animals, tourism, the exotic pet trade and the demand of the forest meat can also cause new infection routes.
Scientists said that the current research into intestinal Protozoa in Kenya is mainly dependent on patient -based data, often collected through questionnaires. Studies that investigate environmental sources to identify infection routes, however. This limitation can be due to resource restrictions.
“This review identifies significant gaps in the supervision of the Protozoa of the intestine, in particular within the environmental and animal health sectors. To tackle the rising burden of intestinal-Protozoa infections in Kenya in Kenya, a large-scale surveillance and extensive health studies are needed to evalate the prevalence in advance” mentioned policymaking “, mentioned policymaking.
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