Seroprevalence of Salmonella Typhi among School Children in Marawe Area in Northern Sudan

Background: Salmonellosis is a major global health problem, especially in developing countries. It is a food/water-borne disease in humans. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Salmonella seropositivity and risk factors for transmission among school children in Marawe area in northern Sudan. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between March and July 2021. The study targeted 310 healthy school children, who were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. Five ml of venous blood samples were collected from each child and were examined for Salmonella Typhi (S. typhi) seropositivity using the Widal test. Results: A 100% response rate was obtained; of them, 119 (68%) were females. The results showed that 134 (43%) participants tested positive for S. typhi, with higher seropositive cases among children from rural areas (64%), and the age 6-10 years was the most affected age group (61%). Also, the study revealed that living conditions such as the type of toilet, as well as children eating vegetables and fruits without washing, eating street food, and not practicing regular hand hygiene tended to have higher seropositivity rates and reached statistical significance as risk factors for Salmonella seropositivity. Conclusion: Considering the relatively high Salmonella seropositivity rate in the study area compared to regional data, the state authorities should provide a safe water supply and improve health education for society on prevention and control of acquiring S. typhi seropositivity.