Prevalence and risk factors of Streptococcus pyogenes among Children Aged 3-15 years at Nyimbwa Health Centre IV, Luwero District: A Cross-Sectional Study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/mf1p4419Keywords:
Streptococcus pyogenes, Group A Streptococcus, Acute pharyngitis, Strep throat, Children aged 3-15years, Nyimbwa Health Centre IV, Luwero DistrictAbstract
Background:
Acute pharyngitis is one of the diseases caused by S. pyogenes. The study aims to determine the prevalence of Streptococcus pyogenes, its associated clinical features, and contributing risk factors among children aged 3-15 years presenting with acute pharyngitis at Nyimbwa Health Centre IV in Luwero District.
Methodology:
The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of S. pyogenes among children aged 3-15 years with acute pharyngitis and also identify associated risk factors of S. pyogenes among children aged 3-15 years with acute pharyngitis. The study was conducted from Nyimbwa Health Centre IV, which is a health Centre located in Nyimbwa County, Katikamu, Luwero District. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling method.
Results:
143 children aged 3-15 years who attended Nyimbwa Health Centre IV in Luwero District during the period of study were recruited for the study. 143 children were examined for S. pyogenes; only 16 had positive culture results, and 127 had negative culture results. The results indicate that the prevalence of S. pyogenes among children aged 3-15 years is 11.2%. 91.6% (131/143) of the children who complained of a sore throat, 93.8% (15/16) had positive cultures for S. pyogenes. 44.1% (63/143) of the children had a cough, of which 31.3% (5/143) had positive cultures for S. pyogenes. Sex of the child, sharing of beddings, and contact with a person with S. pyogenes had no significant association with the prevalence of S. pyogenes.
Conclusion:
The results also linked classic clinical symptoms such as sore throat, fever, and inflamed tonsils to S. pyogenes positivity, strengthening the evidence for clinical diagnosis.
Recommendation:
Caregivers should adopt preventive home practices, including avoiding indoor smoking, reducing overcrowding, encouraging proper hygiene, and seeking prompt medical care whenever children develop a sore throat or fever.
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