Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41381978›Full record

ArticleParasitology research2025

Medication adherence and treatment outcomes in intestinal parasitic infections in rural Egypt: a cross-sectional follow-up study.

Omnia A Atiya, Ekram W Abd El-Wahab, Azza Mehanna, Basem F Abdel-Aziz

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Article in Parasitology research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

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4 authors.

Omnia A AtiyaDepartment of Health Administration and Behavioral Sciences, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21561, Egypt.
Ekram W Abd El-WahabDepartment of Tropical Health, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, 165 El Horreya Road, Alexandria, 21561, Egypt. ekram.wassim@alexu.edu.eg.
Azza MehannaDepartment of Health Administration and Behavioral Sciences, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21561, Egypt.
Basem F Abdel-AzizDepartment of Health Administration and Behavioral Sciences, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, 21561, Egypt.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) remain a pressing global health issue, particularly in low-resource settings where inadequate sanitation, poor hygiene, and limited healthcare access contribute to persistent transmission. In rural Egypt, IPIs are endemic and impose substantial health and economic burdens. This study aimed to assess medication adherence patterns among patients diagnosed with IPIs, identify barriers to adherence, and evaluate associated treatment outcomes in some rural health units in northern Egypt. A cross-sectional and follow-up study was conducted among 450 patients with laboratory-confirmed IPIs across seven rural health units. Data were collected through medical record reviews, structured questionnaires, and the Morisky 8-Item Medication Adherence Scale. Adherence barriers and treatment outcomes were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Participants had a wide age range (mean age 20.7 ± 17.4 years), with 86% residing in rural areas. Adherence levels were varied: 41.6% high, 18.4% moderate, and 40% low. Key barriers included side effects, forgetfulness, and disrupted routines. Clinical improvement is observed in 82% of patients during the first follow-up and in all patients who completed the third follow-up visit. However, high attrition during follow-up limited confirmation of long-term outcomes, with only 19.8% completing all visits. Notably, patients with higher adherence scores paradoxically showed lower improvement rates (p = 0.048), suggesting complex adherence-outcome dynamics that might be confounded by reinfection or measurement limitations. While antiparasitic treatments were generally effective, adherence varied widely and was influenced by socioeconomic and behavioral factors. In conclusion, reinfection and follow-up attrition remain major challenges. Public health interventions must prioritize patient education, improved follow-up systems, and targeted strategies to enhance adherence and reduce reinfection in high-risk communities.

Indexed as

Intestinal Diseases, ParasiticMedication AdherenceAdolescentAdultChildChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesEgyptFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleMiddle AgedRural PopulationSurveys and QuestionnairesTreatment OutcomeEgyptIntestinal parasitic infectionsMedication adherencePublic healthReinfectionRural healthTreatment outcomes

Identifiers

PMID41381978
PMCPMC12698776

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.