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Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) including the hookworms Necator americanus and Ancylostoma spp., Ascaris lumbricoides, and Trichuris trichiura affect over 1.5 billion people worldwide and are estimated to have caused 1.9 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). With the concerted effort in expanding and improving targeted mass drug administration (MDA) programs over the past decade, along with decreasing prevalence, infections in several endemic areas tend to be of low intensity. Conventional microscopy-based methods recommended for the detection of STH in parasitological surveys have been shown to be less sensitive in these low-intensity settings. As communities progress towards STH elimination through MDA and improved sanitation, there is a pressing need for highly sensitive techniques that detect the true prevalence of STH to evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing programs and interventions. Molecular methods that involve analysis of DNA rather than the morphology of the organism are highly sensitive and specific, allowing for both quantitation and species discrimination. The following review discusses different sample collection strategies, pre-processing steps, DNA extraction platforms, and nucleic acid detection methods available for diagnosis and surveillance of STH. We have contrasted the utility of these molecular tools against conventional microscopy-based methods currently used in most endemic settings. While the detection methods are primarily qPCR based, several newer technologies have also become available along with automation and increased throughput, making these molecular tools increasingly cost-effective and potentially amenable for use in low-resource settings.

Unintentional injuries (UI) are a major cause of mortality and morbidity among children, contributing to over 8 75 000 deaths worldwide every year. In India, injury specific mortality rate was 2.9 per 1000 live births contributing to 5.9% of the total mortality in the under five children. This study was designed to estimate the prevalence and understand the risk factors of unintentional injuries in the urban slums of Vellore, South India. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in eight urban slums of Vellore, Tamil Nadu. Mothers of children aged 1–5 years residing in the area for more than three months were interviewed with a questionnaire after an informed consent. The details of injuries sustained in the past three months were obtained. An indigenously developed environmental hazard observation form was used to assess the risk of injuries in places the children frequently visit. Logistic and Poisson regression analysis were used to assess significant risk factors for experiencing injuries and repeated injuries respectively. Prevalence of unintentional injuries in children between 1–5 years during the three months recall period was 39.1% (95% CI 35.4%–42.9%). Children of working mothers had a higher risk of injury compared to children of stay-at-home mothers (OR 1.48, 95% CI (1.01–2.18). Children from overcrowded family were at higher risk of injury (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.14–2.41). Boys had a higher risk of multiple injuries compared to girls (RR 1.335, 95% CI 1.07–1.66). Children with environmental hazard score greater than 66th percentile were more prone to have an injury and a severe injury (RR=0.39 95% CI 0.31–0.48). Prevalence of unintentional injuries in children between 1–5 years was high in the study population. Overcrowding, working mothers and high environmental hazard score were significant risk factors. The environmental hazard score can be further validated and used as a tool.