Epidemiology of soil-transmitted helminths and Schistosoma mansoni: a base-line survey among school children, Ejaji, Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: School children are among the high risk groups for soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) infections in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors of STHs and S. mansoni among primary school children.
 Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 15 to March 30, 2016, involving a total of 340 primary school children (age range 6 to 19 years). Socio-demographic and related data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaire. Stool samples were collected from each study participant and examined using direct wet mount and modified Kato-Katz thick smear technique. Intensity of the STHs and S. mansoni were determined by estimating the eggs per gram (EPG) of stool. Factors associated with STH and S. mansoni infections were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression model.
 Results: Prevalence of the STHs and S. mansoni were 38.2% and 12.94%, respectively. The main predictors of STH infections among the children studied were being in the age group of 16-19 years, untrimmed finger nail and household latrine unavailability. Moreover, male children, children with habit of swimming and bathing in the river had significantly higher odds of S. mansoni infection. Most of the children infected with the parasites had light infection.
 Conclusions: The burden of STHs and S. mansoni was high among the school children. Deworming intervention should be strengthened, along with awareness creation on proper disposal of human excreta and personal hygiene. Regular monitoring of the burden of the parasites and mass drug administration is required.

New Intestinal Schistosomiasis Transmission Foci and Soil-transmitted Helminths Infection After Five Years of Preventive Chemotherapy and Associated Risk Factors Among School-aged Children in Two Districts in Southern Ethiopia

“…The nding of this study was in agreement with Chuahit district [27] in Northern Ethiopia while it was higher than ndings of similar studies undertaken in Jima town [17] and Gurage Zone [16] in Ethiopia. In contrast to this, the prevalence of STH infection among SAC in the study area was lower than Hawassa town [18] and west Shewa Zone [22] in Ethiopia. The disagreements in the prevalence of STH infections in these studies could be related to the time of the data collection relative to the year when deworming has started, since deworming could reduce the worm burden and transmission.…”

“…It could be left not noticed because of the sampling issue as sample collected from ve schools [6] would not be able to show the full picture of the district. The prevalence of S.mansoni infection in the present study was higher than other studies conducted in Ethiopia such as Jima town near rivers [26], Manna [8] and Chuahit [27] district in northern Ethiopia, Sabatamit (rural Bahir dar) [25] in Northern Ethiopia, in west Shewa Zone [22] and Wondo district in west Arsi Zone [41]. The high prevalence of infection and intensity of infections were due to the absence of periodic MDA to reduce the transmission and morbidity of the infection in the present study area.…”

“…with soil and open defecation. Another similar study undertaken in West Shewa Zone indicated that untrimmed nail and availability of latrine at household level did not associate with STH infection [22].…”

“…Despite it has borderline level of signi cance, children who had swum habit on water body were at higher risk of infection. In Majority of the studies, infection by SCH is positively affected by children habit of swimming in water bodies such as in Chuahit [27], Sabatamit rural Bahir Dar [25], west Shewa zone [22] and Korhogo in Côte d'Ivoire [29]. The other independent factor that in uenced infection of children by S.mansoni was age of mothers (caretakers) in age 50 or above years.…”

“…STH and SCH infections were common in areas where sanitation and hygiene is poor, in the dry season [17] and with certain socio-demographic characteristics [22]. In contrast to this and biological plausibility, STH infection did not varied with provision of water supply, hand washing facility, sanitation facility, drinking water and provision of behavioral change education and promotion from 2014 to 2017 in Laos [23].…”