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Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
Soil-Transmitted Helminths And Other Intestinal Parasites Among Schoolchildren In Southern Ethiopia
Tilahun Eyamo1, Mekonnen Girma2, Tsegaye Alemayehu2
1Department of Biology, Hawassa University College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
Insights
Intestinal parasitic infections are highly prevalent in Ethiopian schoolchildren, with over 67% infected. Good hygiene practices like nail clipping and hand washing significantly reduce infection risks.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Intestinal parasitic infections (IP) are neglected tropical diseases impacting child health.
- These infections contribute to malnutrition, morbidity, and mortality in schoolchildren.
- Ethiopia faces significant challenges with IP in its school-aged population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths and other intestinal parasites.
- To identify risk factors associated with intestinal parasitic infections in schoolchildren.
- To inform public health interventions in southern Ethiopia.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 primary school children in Hawassa Tula Sub-City, Ethiopia.
- Sociodemographic and risk factor data were collected via parental interviews and structured questionnaires.
- Stool examinations were performed using direct and concentration methods, with data analyzed using SPSS.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of 67.7% (260/384) of intestinal parasitic infections was observed.
- Ascaris lumbricoides (38.0%) was the most common parasite, followed by hookworms (3.1%).
- Infection rates were significantly associated with 4th-grade enrollment, maternal education, nail hygiene, and handwashing habits.
Conclusions:
- Soil-transmitted helminths and other intestinal parasitic infections are highly prevalent in the studied school.
- Implementing hygiene education focusing on nail clipping and handwashing is crucial for prevention.
- Public health strategies should target these modifiable risk factors to reduce disease burden.
Background:
Intestinal parasitic infections are the neglected tropical diseases that have a devastating effect and leads to malnutrition, morbidity and mortality in schoolchildren. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of soil-transmitted and other intestinal parasites among schoolchildren in southern Ethiopia.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gara Riketa primary school children at Hawassa Tula Sub-City, Southern Ethiopia from March 1 to April 20, 2017. The parent of participating children was interviewed with a structured questionnaire to collect the sociodemographic and risk factors data. Well-trained laboratory technicians were involved in the stool examination through direct and concentration methods. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. ORs at 95% CI were considered as a statistically significant association with a p-value < 0.05.
Results:
Out of 384 schoolchildren enrolled for the study, 260 (67.7%) were infected with one or more intestinal parasites. The predominantly identified parasite was Ascaris lumbricoides 146 (38.0%) followed by hookworms 12 (3.1%). The study showed that intestinal parasitic infections have a statistically significant association with being in 4th grade, the mother´s educational status (grade 9-12), having cut nails and washing hands before eating.
Conclusion:
The rates of soil-transmitted helminths and other intestinal parasitic infections were very high in Gara Riketa primary school children. Based on the statistical analysis, hygiene and nail clipping are important habits to prevent infection with intestinal parasites.
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