Associations Between Socio-Economic Factors and Prevalence of Shigella Infection: An Analysis of Isolated Cases

Background:
Shigella infection is a major contributor to childhood diarrhoea,
particularly in settings where socio-economic and environmental
disadvantages limit access to safe water, sanitation, and healthcare.
Objective:
This study assessed the association between socio-economic factors and
Shigella prevalence among isolated paediatric cases.
Methods:
A hospital-based observational study was conducted from July 2021 to
June 2022 in the Paediatrics inpatient department of Sylhet MAG
Osmani Medical College Hospital. Ninety-eight children aged ≥6
months with diarrhoea and no recent antibiotic exposure were enrolled.
Stool samples underwent culture, biochemical testing, and PCR
confirmation.Associations were analysed using SPSS, with significance
set at p<0.05.
Results:
Shigella species were isolated in 13 of 98 children (13.3%),
predominantly among those aged 1–5 years and from lower
socio-economic backgrounds, although age, gender and
socio-economic class showed no significant associations.
Conclusion:
Shigella infection persists in disadvantaged socio-economic settings,
underscoring the need for targeted preventive measures