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Updated: Dec 14, 2025
Determining Soil-transmitted Helminth Infection Status and Physical Fitness of School-aged Children
Published on: August 22, 2012
Prevalence of soil transmitted helminths in school-aged children, Colombia, 2012-2013
David José González Quiroz1, Sonia Del Pilar Agudelo Lopez2, Catalina María Arango1
1Epidemiology Group, National School of Public Health, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia.
Insights
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections affect nearly 30% of Colombian school children, with Trichuris trichiura being most common. Anemia also impacts 14.2% of this population, varying by region.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections and their impact on child health in Colombia have not been updated in three decades.
- Understanding current STH prevalence is crucial for developing effective national control policies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and intensity of STH infections in Colombian school children (7-10 years old).
- To assess the nutritional status and prevalence of anemia in this population.
- To provide data for informed public health interventions and STH control strategies.
Main Methods:
- A national survey utilizing multistage stratified probability sampling was conducted.
- Stool samples were collected from 6,045 school children across eight biogeographic provinces.
- Prevalence and intensity of STH infections (A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, hookworms) and anemia were calculated.
Main Results:
- The overall STH prevalence was 29.6%, with T. trichiura (18.4%), A. lumbricoides (11.3%), and hookworms (6.4%) being the most common.
- Prevalence varied significantly by province, notably high for A. lumbricoides and hookworms in Amazonía.
- National anemia prevalence was 14.2%, with extreme variations observed across provinces, from 3.5% to 45.1%.
Conclusions:
- Colombia faces a moderate risk of STH infection in school-aged children, with significant regional disparities.
- A comprehensive approach including deworming programs tailored to provincial conditions is essential.
- Intersectoral actions to improve living conditions and sanitation are vital for STH control.
Background:
This study aims to establish the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) intestinal infections, nutritional status, and anemia in school children aged 7 to 10 years old in the biogeographic provinces of Colombia in 2012-2013. STH prevalence in the country has not been described within the last 30 years and it is needed in order to establish policies its control in the country.
Methodology:
National Survey of STH in school-aged children with a multistage stratified probability sampling was conducted. The overall prevalence and intensity of STH infection, as well as for each parasite, (A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and hookworms) were calculated for the country and for each of the nine biogeographic provinces.
Principal Findings:
Stool samples were collected from 6045 children in eight out of nine biogeographic provinces. The combined prevalence of STH in the country was 29.6%. T. trichiura was the most prevalent helminth (18.4%), followed by A. lumbricoides (11.3%), and hookworms (6.4%). For A. lumbricoides and hookworms, the highest prevalence values were found in the Amazonía province (58.0% and 35.7%, respectively). Regarding STH intensity, most cases showed moderate intensity (41.3%) for A. lumbricoides, and light intensity, for T. trichiura and hookworms. The national prevalence of anemia in school-aged children was 14.2%, lowest in the Nor-Andina province (3.5%), and highest in the Territorios Insulares oceánicos del Caribe province (45.1%).
Significance:
Colombia has a moderate risk of STH infection in school-aged populations, with considerable variation in the prevalence values among the biogeographic provinces. Like any public health issue, this problem should be handled with a comprehensive approach that involves deworming programs and strategies for STH control according to the specific epidemiological and socioeconomic conditions and sanitation service coverage in each biogeographic province. The program should be further supported by intersectoral action to improve living conditions, particularly the excreta disposal, promoted at municipality levels.
