Prevalence and Intensity of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infection among Rural Community of Southwest Ethiopia: A Community-Based Study

Abstract

Background. Helminths are significant contributors to global health problems. Subgroup soil-transmitted helminths are among the listed neglected tropical diseases. The rural inhabitants often suffer from heavy infection, particularly children and pregnant women. Objective. The study aimed at determining the magnitude and intensity of soil-transmitted helminth infection and associated risk factors in the study area where the prevalence and intensity of the infection are yet unknown at the community level. Method. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between April and June 2016 on 377 individuals. Systematic random sampling was utilized to select the households. Lottery method was used for study subject selection in the households. Sociodemographic and risk factor data were collected using a pretested questionnaire. Parasitological tests were processed using Kato-Katz thick smear and duplicate direct wet mount analysis of the stool sample. Results. A total of 377 subjects aged from 2 to 55 years were enrolled in the study, of which 211 were female (56%) and 166 were male (44%). The overall prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths was 265 (70.3%). The females shared more (36.6%, 138) as compared to males (33.7%, 127) at P<0.05. Of all identified soil-transmitted helminths, Trichuris trichiura was the predominant infectious agent (66.8%, 252) followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (16.4%, 62) and hookworm (14.1%, 53). Gender (AOR: 1.67 (95% CI: 1.034–2.706)), lack of fruit washing before consumption (AOR: 1.7 (95% CI: 1.1–2.6)), open defecation habit (AOR: 1.75 (95% CI: 0.921–3.338)), and drinking untreated water (AOR: 1.994 (95% CI: 1.019–3.90)) were significantly associated with soil-transmitted helminth infection. Conclusion. High prevalence of STH infection was still an important health issue of the community even after the implementation of the health extension program. Hence, intervention considering all population of the residents as eligible to deworm and health education are mandatory.

Prevalence, intensity and control strategies of soil-transmitted helminth infections among pre-school age children after 10 years of preventive chemotherapy in Gamo Gofa zone, Southern Ethiopia: A call for action

“…The overall prevalence of STH infections observed in this study is comparable with studies conducted in another parts of Ethiopia (Butajira and Wonji) and West China [26–28], but slightly lower than the prevalence reported in Dembiya, northwest Ethiopia [21]. In addition, the prevalence in our study is significantly lower than the findings of other studies conducted in another part of Nigeria, Cameroon, Ecuador, Uganda, Kenya and Honduras [29–36]. These differences observed from our study could be due to variation in socio-cultural, social determinants, behavioral characteristics and implementation of prevention and control measures.…”

Soil-transmitted helminth infections among pre-school aged children in Gamo Gofa zone, Southern Ethiopia: Prevalence, intensity and intervention status

“…On the contrary, the STH prevalence in our study is slightly lower than the prevalence reported in Dembiya, northwest Ethiopia [19]. In addition, the prevalence in our study is significantly lower than the findings of other studies conducted in another part of Ethiopia and in Nigeria, Cameroon, Ecuador, Uganda, Kenya and Honduras [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. These differences observed from our study could be due to variation in socio-cultural, social determinants, behavioral characteristics and implementation of prevention and control measures.…”

Risk Factors Associated with Helminthic Intestinal Infection in Lurambi Subcounty, Kakamega, Kenya

“…The occupation level was statistically significant to STH and S. mansoni infection, and this was also observed by Naish et al [ 30 ]. This study noted that eating unwashed fruits and vegetables was attributed to STH infection, which agrees with findings from previous studies [ 27 , 31 ]. The observation made can be explained by what was observed by Bekele et al [ 32 ] and Tefera et al [ 33 ] in their study on parasitic contamination of raw vegetables and fruits, where they concluded that the fruits and vegetables were contaminated with STH.…”

“…The prevalence of T. trichiura was also low, which is different from the prevalence observed in South Nyanza [ 20 ], and this agrees with another study by Loukouri et al [ 18 ] in Eastern Cote d'Ivoire. Multiple infections between A. lumbricoides and hookworm were observed in this study which agrees with other studies [ 24 – 27 ] in which they observed multiple infections that are polyparasitism, coinfection of two STH species, and coinfection with three soil-transmitted species. Shitaho Primary School accounted for the highest prevalence of STH, and this is in tandem with Ngonjo et al [ 7 ].…”