02206nas a2200277   4500000000100000008004100001653003100042653003900073653001100112653001300123100001700136700001600153700001200169700001400181700001500195700001400210700001200224700001300236700001400249700001300263700001400276700001200290245015400302520145800456022001401914       2017                            d10aSoil-transmitted helminths10aNeglected tropical diseases (NTDs)10aGender10aDiarrhea1 aSevilimedu V1 aPressley KD1 aSnook K1 aHogges JV1 aPolitis MD1 aSexton JK1 aDuke CH1 aSmith BA1 aSwander L1 aBaker KK1 aGambhir M1 aFung IC00aGender-based differences in water, sanitation and hygiene-related diarrheal disease and helminthic infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.3 a<p><strong>BACKGROUND: </strong>Qualitative evidence suggests that inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) may affect diarrheal and helminthic infection in women disproportionately. We systematically searched PubMed in June 2014 (updated 2016) and the WHO website, for relevant articles.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>Articles dealing with the public health relevance of helminthic and diarrheal diseases, and highlighting the role of gender in WASH were included. Where possible, we carried out a meta-analysis.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>In studies of individuals 5 years or older, cholera showed lower prevalence in males (OR 0.56; 95% CI 0.34-0.94), while Schistosoma mansoni (1.38; 95% CI 1.14-1.67), Schistosoma japonicum (1.52; 95% CI 1.13-2.05), hookworm (1.43; 95% CI 1.07-1.89) and all forms of infectious diarrhea (1.21; 95% CI 1.06-1.38) showed a higher prevalence in males. When studies included all participants, S. mansoni and S. japonicum showed higher prevalence with males (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.27-1.55 and 1.84; 95% CI 1.27-2.67, respectively). Prevalence of Trichiuris and hookworm infection showed effect modification with continent.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSIONS: </strong>Evidence of gender differences in infection may reflect differences in gender norms, suggesting that policy changes at the regional level may help ameliorate gender related disparities in helminthic and diarrheal disease prevalence.</p>
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