Prevalence and intensity of infections of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura and associated socio-demographic variables in four rural Honduran communities

Between January and March 1998, a cross-sectional survey was carried out in four rural communities in Honduras, Central America. We examined the preva lence and intensity of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infecti ons among 240 fecal specimens, and the association between selected socio-d emographic variables and infection for 62 households. The overall prevalenc e of A. Iumbricoides and T. trichiura was 45% (95% CI 39.0-51.9) and 38% (9 5% CI 31.8-44.4) respectively. The mast intense infections for Ascaris and Trichuris were found in children aged 2-12 years old. By univariate analysi s variables associated with infections of A. lumbricoides were: number of c hildren 2-5 years old (p=0.001), level of formal education of respondents ( p=0.01), reported site of defecation of children in households (p=0.02), ho useholds with children who had a recent history of diarrhea (p=0.002), and the location of households (p=0.03). Variables associated with both A. lumb ricoides and T, trichiura infection included: number of children 6-11 years old (p=0.01, p=0.04, respectively), owns ship of a latrine (p=0.04, p=0.03 , respectively) and coinfection with either helminth (p=0.001, p=0.001, res pectively). By multivariate analysis the number of children 2-5 years livin g in the household, (p=0.01, odds ratio (OR)=22.2), children with a recent history of diarrhea (p=0.0, OR=39.8), and infection of household members wi th T. trichiura (p=0.02, OR=16.0) were associated with A. Iumbricoides infe ction. The number of children 6-14 years old in the household was associate d with both A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infection (p=0.04, p=0.01, OR= 19.2, OR=5.2, respectively).