TY - JOUR
T1 - High prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis among primary schoolchildren in Southwest Ethiopia
T2 - the need for health strategies alongside mass drug administration
AU - Meleko, Asrat
AU - Turgeman, Dorin Brener
AU - Caplan, Naomi
AU - Baum, Sarit
AU - Zerai, Nisan K.
AU - Zaadnoordijk, Willemijn
AU - Bruck, Michal
AU - Sabar, Galia
AU - Bentwich, Zvi
AU - Golan, Rachel
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023.
PY - 2024/9/1
Y1 - 2024/9/1
N2 - Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and schistosomiasis remain widely prevalent in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of STH and schistosomiasis among schoolchildren in Gidi Bench district (Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Republic, Southwest Ethiopia) and the association with knowledge and health-related behaviors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Stool samples, analyzed by the Kato-Katz technique and a knowledge, attitudes and practices questionnaire, were collected. Results: Out of 611 participants (mean age 12.8±3.1 y), 129 (21.1%) were infected with schistosomiasis and 382 (62.5%) had STH. More than 30% (n=195, 31.9%) were infected with a single intestinal parasite, while 138 (22.6%) and 47 (7.7%) were infected with two or three parasitic infections, respectively. Boys and those who did not participate in school clubs had higher infection rates (p=0.05). Lower parasitic infection was associated with using a latrine when available, washing hands and vegetables and wearing shoes regularly. Higher rates of infection were found among those who reported swimming and washing cloths and utensils in the river regularly. Conclusions: Schistosomiasis and STH were highly prevalent among schoolchildren in Gidi Bench district. Infection rates were associated with gender, lack of knowledge on parasitic infections and unhealthy behaviors. Findings from this study may assist in decision making regarding disease prevalence and methods of control alongside mass drug administration.
AB - Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and schistosomiasis remain widely prevalent in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of STH and schistosomiasis among schoolchildren in Gidi Bench district (Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Republic, Southwest Ethiopia) and the association with knowledge and health-related behaviors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Stool samples, analyzed by the Kato-Katz technique and a knowledge, attitudes and practices questionnaire, were collected. Results: Out of 611 participants (mean age 12.8±3.1 y), 129 (21.1%) were infected with schistosomiasis and 382 (62.5%) had STH. More than 30% (n=195, 31.9%) were infected with a single intestinal parasite, while 138 (22.6%) and 47 (7.7%) were infected with two or three parasitic infections, respectively. Boys and those who did not participate in school clubs had higher infection rates (p=0.05). Lower parasitic infection was associated with using a latrine when available, washing hands and vegetables and wearing shoes regularly. Higher rates of infection were found among those who reported swimming and washing cloths and utensils in the river regularly. Conclusions: Schistosomiasis and STH were highly prevalent among schoolchildren in Gidi Bench district. Infection rates were associated with gender, lack of knowledge on parasitic infections and unhealthy behaviors. Findings from this study may assist in decision making regarding disease prevalence and methods of control alongside mass drug administration.
KW - behaviors
KW - health education
KW - mass drug administration
KW - schistosomiasis
KW - soil-transmitted helminths
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85203267347&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/inthealth/ihad083
DO - 10.1093/inthealth/ihad083
M3 - Article
C2 - 37935041
AN - SCOPUS:85203267347
SN - 1876-3413
VL - 16
SP - 529
EP - 533
JO - International Health
JF - International Health
IS - 5
ER -