Prevalence and Sociodemographic Factors Associated With Chronic Intestinal Polyparasitism in Non-Pregnant Adults Living In Urban and Rural Areas of Gabon

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections constitute a major public health problem worldwide. Data from non-pregnant adults are scarce in high burden countries such as Gabon. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and features of intestinal polyparasitism in urban and rural areas of Gabon. Methods: Apparently healthy volunteers with a microscopic diagnosis of intestinal parasites were included. Sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics were collected using a written questionnaire. The type and number of detected parasites were also recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Among the 239 participants, the prevalence of polyparasitism was 36.4%. The frequencies of protozoa, soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) infections and co-infection (protozoa-STHs) were 35.6%, 46.4% and 18.0%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that polyparasitism was associated with living in rural area (aOR=3.6; 95%CI = 1.0 - 12.1, p = 0.03), female gender (OR = 1.8; 95%CI = 1.0 - 3.2, p = 0.025), the use of non-conventional latrines (aOR = 3.3; 95%CI =1.2 - 9.3, p = 0.02). Drinking river water (aOR = 2.6; 95%CI = 1.1- 6.0, p = 0.024) and living in urban area (uOR = 2.9; 95%CI =1.3 - 6.6, p = 0.007) were significant risk factors of STHs and protozoa carriage, respectively. Conclusion: Polyparasitism is frequent in adults. It is associated with poor sanitary conditions in rural sites. Awareness campaigns and integrated control strategies should also target adult population, which constitutes a significant parasite reservoir.