Food-related risk factors for enteric pathogen detection in children aged 6-24 months living in a low-income informal area of Nairobi, Kenya: A cross-sectional study

• DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/vaq4e_v1
• Publication Date: 2025-04-02T20:58:06Z
• Authors: Jackie Knee; Joseph Wells; Julie Watson; Lynn Grignard; Alesha Myers; Julia Silva Sobolik; Clara MacLeod; Esther German; Linnet Ochien'g; Christine Mutisya; Sherril Masudi; Joseph Wasonga; Alice Kiarie; Noah Okumu; Delia Grace; Johanna Lindahl; Maud Amon-Tanoh; Elizabeth Cook; Oliver Cumming
• Keywords: Cross-sectional study

Background: Enteric pathogen exposure is common among young children living in low-income settings and can have short- long-term health consequences. Children between the ages of 6–24 months are particularly vulnerable as they experience increased exposure, including through introduction food water, while their immune systems still developing. The aim this study was to estimate prevalence enteric detection associated food-related risk factors old a densely populated, neighbourhood Nairobi, Kenya.Methods: We conducted cross-sectional 537 households Dagoretti Division Kenya. collected stool from one child aged each household tested it for 30 pathogens using TaqMan Array Card. relationships ≥1 pathogens, bacterial protozoan viral co-detection ≥2 were explored multivariable logistic regression.Results: detected or more 88.5% children, over half all had two (mean 2.0, standard deviation 1.4). most frequently Enteroaggregative E. coli (55.7%), Enteropathogenic (46.4%), Enterotoxigenic (16.2%). No with pathogens. caregiver hands feed odds (aOR 2.16, 95% CI 1.27 – 3.79, p=0.005) 1.58, 1.10 2.25, p=0.013). Consumption several types foods detection, bread, ugali, vegetables. Conclusion: setting high levels during critical period development, threatening well-being. Our results suggest that foodborne may be important age group setting, highlighting need targeted, context-relevant hygiene interventions.