Disparities in parasitic infections, perceived ill health and access to health care among poorer and less poor schoolchildren of rural Côte d'Ivoire

摘要: Differences in the state of health between rural and urban populations living Africa have been described, yet only few studies analysed inequities within poor communities. We investigated disparities parasitic infections, perceived ill access to formal services among more than 4000 schoolchildren from 57 primary schools a area western Cote d'Ivoire, as measured by their socioeconomic status. In first step, we carried out cross-sectional parasitological survey. Stool specimens finger prick blood samples were collected processed with standardized, quality-controlled methods, for diagnosis Schistosoma mansoni, soil-transmitted helminths, intestinal protozoa Plasmodium. Then, questionnaire survey was appraisal self-reported morbidity indicators, well housing characteristics household assets ownership. Mean travel distance each village nearest care delivery structure provided regional authorities. Poorer showed significantly higher infection prevalence hookworm better-off children. However, prevalences (i.e. Blastocystis hominis, Endolimax nana Iodamoeba butschlii) found increasing Significant negative associations observed status light intensities S. several indicators. The poorest school-attending children lived further away richer counterparts. Our study provides evidence schoolchildren's status, large part d'Ivoire. These findings call equity-balanced disease control interventions, which turn might be an important strategy poverty alleviation.