Determinants and Knowledge on Geo-Helminthiasis in Prison Inmates: Case of Kassapa Central Prison, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Introduction: Geohelminths are infections due to various species of parasitic worms transmitted by eggs present in human excreta which contaminate the soil where sanitation is poor. The objective of this study was to analyse the determinants and knowledge on geo-helminthiasis among inmates and care providers in the Kassapa prison environment in Lubumbashi in the Demographic Republic of Congo. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study which was conducted from September 21 to October 15, 2020 in Kassapa prison in Demographic Republic of Congo. Estimates of the prevalence and general characteristics of geo-helminthiasis in prisoners were calculated by descriptive analyses. The analysis of determinants was performed based on a binary logistic regression. Results: With regard to the quantitative section, the study used a sample size of 1083 while a sample size of six was considered for the qualitative section. The annual prevalence of geo-helminthiasis was 10.2%, 4.8% and 2.9% respectively for 2017, 2018 and 2019. It was found that the general prevalence of geo-helminthiases was 17.9%. The age group above 39 years constitutes the modal class with 29.4%, the least affected age group being that of minors with 6.3%. The association is statistically significant between sex, treatment, prison residence and year. Thus, taking gender into account, women are by 2.3 (OR = 2.3, 95% CI [1.3%; 4.8%], p value < 0.05) more likely to be at risk of suffering from geo-helminthiasis than men, and mebendazole is by 2.1 a better treatment of geo-helminthiasis than albendazole (OR = 2.1, 95% CI [1.1%; 4.6%], p-value < 0.05). Transmission routes of geo-helminthiasis are relatively well known among these actors who have often reported eating dirty food, walking barefoot, and drinking dirty water. Conclusion: This descriptive cross-sectional study rounds off by pointing to poor hygiene, insufficient health education and a low socio-economic level exposing inmates to the risk of contracting geo-helminthiasis, particularly as prisoners in Kassapa live in a difficult situation and are therefore very vulnerable.